March is National Agriculture Month and it’s time to give all the farmers props for what they contribute to our lives every single day.
Have you ever spent any time on a farm? Does your family farm or do you know any farmers? If you get the chance, go hang out at a farm to find out what a day in the life of a farmer is like.
Farmers generally live on their farm so they don’t have to drive to work, but they usually get started working early anyway.
What types of farms are there?
There are two main types of farming: crops and animals. Some farmers just grow crops, while others raise animals. However, there are farms that have both crops and animals.
Farming is an important occupation, because everyone needs food and clothing to survive.
Farmers produce all kinds of plants, animals, wool and cotton that people eat and utilize throughout the world.
Before the twentieth century, the typical American family lived on a small farm. They raised almost everything they ate and sold their remaining crops and/or animals.
Farmers work long, hard hours.
There are less farmers in the United States today than there were in the early 1900’s, but the ones that are working produce more.
Scientific methods and labor-saving machinery have made farming increasingly productive.
The development of improved plant varieties and fertilizers has helped significantly increase the yields of some major crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat.
Scientific studies on livestock care and breeding have helped increase the amount of meat and products that animals produce.
The use of tractors and other modern farm equipment has sharply reduced the need for farm workers.
Today’s farmers are not just experts in agriculture and livestock, but they also need to be successful businessmen and business women.
Gaither Family Farms
Leland G. • Age 13
Q. What do you like best about living on a farm?
A. I love living on a farm. I like that there is a lot of land for growing pigs and having gardens. Our farm provides food for other people and that is important. I like raising pigs. My favorite part of raising pigs is getting to show them at fairs and contests. I also like getting to take care of my animals and spend time with them. I make sure to brush them and pet them a lot. Also, I love when we have baby pigs because I play with them and give them names. They’re so cute! Living on a farm gives me opportunities to do things not everybody gets to do.
Q. What things do you do to help around the farm?
A. I get up early before school to do chores, which are feeding and watering all the animals. I help clean the pig pens about once a week. It’s important to make sure they have fresh bedding to live on and don’t have a super stinky pen. Sometimes I even get to help with bigger projects like welding and building new pens. I also help my dad take care of baby piglets by giving them the shots they need, like iron. I like teaching my little sisters how to brush and feed and show our pigs, and someday they’ll be big enough to help me with the chores.
Q. What questions do your friends ask about farming?
A. When people find out that I live on a farm, they always ask what kind of animals I have. My friends ask me what kinds of chores I have to do, and how hard it is to take care of animals. Some people ask me why I do it, and I love to tell them I do it because I like taking care of pigs and providing food for others.
Q. Can you drive a tractor?
A. Not a big one. I have driven a smaller tractor and look forward to learning how to drive a big one.
Lucy G. • Age 11
Q. What do you like best about living on a farm?
A. I like seeing all the animals and taking care of them
Q. What things do you do to help around the farm?
A. I help feed hay, help feed grain and work cows.
Q. What questions do your friends ask about farming?
A. Do you get to ride horses while you check on the cows? Can you pet the cats and cows?
Q. Can you drive a tractor?
A. Yes, I can drive a tractor.
Haden G. • Age 9
Q. What do you like best about living on a farm?
A. Raising a heifer.
Q. What things do you do to help around the farm?
A. Help work the cows and cut hay string.
Q. What questions do your friends ask about farming?
A. “Is it fun being farmers?”
Q. Can you drive a tractor?
A. No but I can drive a gator.
Jackson’s Double J Farm
Emily J. • Age 12
Q. What do you like best about living on a farm?
A. I like living around many different animals. We have chickens, cows, donkeys, llamas, dogs and cats. If I’m not in school, then I like to be outside with the animals. I especially love being able to show my cows.
Q. What things do you do to help around the farm?
A. In our chicken houses, I help set out feed trays for the baby chicks. And then I have to pick them up when they are done. With the cows in the field, I love to go out and feed them range cubes. My heifers that I show have to be washed, dried and walked daily.
Q. What questions do your friends ask about farming?
A. My friends want to come over and see the animals. They also ask how hard it is for farmers to take care of the animals.
Q. Can you drive a tractor?
A. No. I don’t drive the tractor but I do drive our gator around.