Humans of Agriculture- Shelley's Story.
"I am a working Mother . . . maybe not by traditional standards. I don’t commute to an office, I don’t earn a monthly paycheck, and my business attire usually involves wearing a cap.
I get up early . . . so I have a little time for myself before the boys wake up. My kids go with me each day. Often times, I drive a utility vehicle with two passengers in tow and other days I ride a horse. Depending on the season, I care for baby calves, check, move and work cattle, feed an assortment of animals that rely on me, and mow and nurture the grassy field I call my yard. I am also a chauffeur and cook . . . shuffling the boys from place to place and taking them on rural adventures while making sure our family has three healthy meals. I often get home late and realize that I have nothing prepared for dinner. . . I won’t even mention the mountain of laundry that waits for me. I feel like there is never enough time in the day, and I am constantly juggling life’s responsibilities.
I worry that I’m not giving my boys enough opportunities. I love them so much and just want the best for them. I sometimes fear that we spend too much time working and not enough time playing. Then, I look at the joy in their faces when we are together on the ranch doing what we love, and it is clear to me . . . my work is important, and I have job security."
Shelley is the rancher behind your food, think of Shelley when you buy a beef pot roast or some steaks for the grill.
You can follow Shelley on her blog and her facebook page.
To read more Humans of Agriculture posts, click HERE.
Marsha
We grew up like this. Don't worry that you work too much and don't play enough. I remember the few vacations we took as kids, but I also remember riding in the combine with Mom, sleeping on the seed bags in the back of the truck, catching baby pigs, and working together as a family. I think working together made us much closer and respect each other more than playing together ever did.
Lauren Schlothauer
I really think that your Humans of Agriculture posts give anyone and everyone access to the average farmer. Its important for people to realize that yes producers work in the industry but that they oftentimes have same concerns of people/parents that are not involved in the agriculture industry. I feel that these posts truly allow consumers and non agriculturalists the opportunity to connect with the people that produce their food on an emotional level. Empathy speaks volumes and you have plenty of that here. I certainly enjoyed this post.
Jennifer Spahn
I really love this Humans of Agriculture project! It lets people get to know farmers and learn from them as well. It shows them as real people in the world today, not the old school plaid shirts and overalls image that many think of.
Oona Houlihan
"... I have job security ..." Actually, in the coming years more and more people will realize that this fiat-money-Wall-Street-collect-bonuses system actually produces nothing, you can't eat credit cards. The food needs to come from somewhere. Soon, like in Europe after the war, the farmers will be "kings" again and the New York Times ("Don't let your kids become farmers") will (try to) eat its words ...