“You can’t have the family farm without the family.”  Gilbert Chesterton

When thinking about life’s lessons, how many experiences qualify as amazing, planned out, or handpicked, opposed to skills learned from sessions that were far from extraordinaire?   In a farming and ranching family, this theory of “personal development” during less than favorite times, certainly holds true.  Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of projects that we would rather not be, but merely end up there due to default.  We show up, not because cattle make our pulse race, but because our brother, mother, or grandpa need us to be there.    

Yesterday was weaning day at our family’s ranch; a day of work, good food, and laughs with those there.  It was a time to see how well the purchased genetics, summer grazing programs, and fan favorite mother cows have performed. If these cattle belong to you, a sense of pride wells up when seeing the fleshy calves trot by.  Anticipation for steady weight gain in the feedlot and a strong February market commences. This day’s project was a good reminder of how despite of worldly happenings, the cycle of life in agriculture keep on rolling and a new seasons begin.

The weather yesterday equated to a North Dakota style of Hurricane Delta. Winds whipping through the corrals at Mach speed, creating a spontaneous game of dodge the tumbleweeds. The temperature was a refreshing 38 degrees with sun peeking out at 20 second intervals.  If you are the one who loves his family, but not necessarily playing chase the cow and chase your hat, weaning on a blustery day is not on the top of the to do list.  This person is Sutton. 

Sutton is a lanky 18-year-old young man, who has a sense of wit quicker than a whip.  He is athletic, drawn towards anything with an engine, and sports the best mullet in the tri-county area.  Sutton is a senior in high school and will be studying to be a lineman right after graduation in May.  He has been submersed in all things rural during his entire childhood and has a long deep-rooted history of family agrarians.  Sutton is knowledgeable in delivering newborn calves, seeding with GPS technology, and the importance of baling hay at just the perfect time.  He has acquired a truckload of skills over the years and has helped progress the family farm, despite actually not loving the day to day tasks of the lifestyle.

While in the mix of cattle and tumbleweeds and working with Sutton yesterday, I began to think about how many life lessons he has learned through osmosis while working in ag.  Skills applicable in any workplace or family, regardless of whether the lessons were enjoyed or not.  Abilities, that as a mother, I am so thankful he has developed and used his gifts to be separated from the chaff.

The first trait crossed my mind was that of reliability.  When working with crops and livestock, family, and friends, saying what you do and doing what you say is a necessity. Whether the task is liked or not, agriculture instills at a young age, that somethings just must be done.  End. Of. Story.  Being reliable while being a lineman will be instrumental in Sutton’s successful career.

The second mannerism that farming and ranching has taught is to be adaptable.  Anyone who has been out of the womb more than 20 years, knows that life throws some curve balls at times.  Agriculture teaches complimentary classes every day on adaptability.  No rain?  Cows out?  Markets crash?  Irritated spouse? By experiencing the ever-changing environment, Sutton has learned to be able to solve problems quickly and make positive changes in reaction to unplanned modifications.

The last quality I have seen Sutton develop is good old fashion work ethic.  When the Xbox and basement chair is calling his name at 9:00 p.m., but an all-night haying date with his brother wins out, the value of being committed to a job is further imbedded.  Working in agriculture grows an appreciation for doing what needs to be done – a characteristic that will make Sutton an honorable employee, husband, or father someday.

I know Sutton would have rather not been swinging gates with his mullet blowing in the wind, but he shows commitment to our family, is reliable, and knows the value of hard work.

The most important lessons learned in life are usually learned the hard way.  Lessons that are not chosen but rather chosen for us, allowing us to become who we were meant to be.