Growing Up with Dirt Under Their Nails

Emma is 8 and Jake is 16, and they’re growing up in a world that’s very different from the one Bill and I knew as kids. But some things about farm life remain beautifully unchanged - the lessons, the values, and the connection to something bigger than yourself.

Here’s what it really means to raise kids on a farm in 2024.

Morning Responsibilities

Before most kids their age are even awake, our children have chores. Not because we’re mean parents, but because 23 head of cattle and 50 chickens don’t care that it’s Saturday morning or summer vacation.

Emma’s morning jobs (age 8):

• Collect eggs from the chicken coop
• Fill the chicken waterers
• Help carry feed buckets
• Count the cattle to make sure everyone’s accounted for

Jake’s morning jobs (age 16):

• Feed the cattle
• Check and fill water troughs
• Move portable fencing if needed
• Help with equipment maintenance

These aren’t just chores - they’re lessons in responsibility, reliability, and the understanding that other living things depend on you.

The Classroom vs. The Barn

Both kids go to the local public school, but some of their most important education happens right here on the farm.

Math lessons:

• Calculating feed rations and costs
• Measuring field acreage
• Understanding profit and loss
• Figuring out planting rates and spacing

Science lessons:

• Plant biology through crop production
• Animal husbandry and veterinary care
• Weather patterns and climate
• Soil science and conservation

Life skills:

• Problem-solving when equipment breaks
• Planning and time management
• Physical work and perseverance
• Understanding where food comes from

Technology and Tradition

Our kids are growing up with smartphones and GPS-guided tractors, but they’re also learning skills that haven’t changed in generations.

Modern farm tech they use:

• Weather apps for planning outdoor work
• GPS systems for field mapping
• Automated feeding systems
• Online livestock management software

Traditional skills they’re learning:

• Reading animal behavior and body language
• Understanding soil by feel and smell
• Predicting weather by observing nature
• Hand tools and basic mechanical skills

The Social Challenges

Being a farm kid in 2024 comes with unique social challenges. When your classmates are playing video games, you’re doing chores. When they’re sleeping in on weekends, you’re up with the sun.

What they miss:

• Some after-school activities (chores come first)
• Spontaneous sleepovers (animals need care)
• Certain social events (harvest doesn’t wait)
• The luxury of being completely carefree

What they gain:

• Strong work ethic and sense of responsibility
• Understanding of where food comes from
• Connection to nature and seasons
• Problem-solving skills and resilience

Different Perspectives on Success

Our kids are learning that success isn’t just about money or status - it’s about stewardship, community, and doing work that matters.

Emma’s perspective (in her own words): “I like that our eggs taste better than store eggs, and I know our chickens are happy. My friends think it’s cool that I can drive the four-wheeler and know how to milk a cow.”

Jake’s perspective: “Some of my friends think farming is boring, but they don’t understand the technology involved or how much skill it takes. Plus, I’ll graduate high school with more real-world experience than most college students.”

The Future Question

The question every farm family faces: Will the kids want to continue farming?

We’re not pressuring either child to take over the farm, but we are making sure they understand it’s an option. We want them to choose their path based on passion, not obligation.

Jake’s current thinking: Interested in agricultural engineering - combining his love of farming with his aptitude for technology. He might farm, or he might design equipment for farmers.

Emma’s current thinking: Changes weekly between veterinarian, teacher, and “farmer like Grandpa.” We’ll see where her interests lead.

Teaching Moments Everywhere

Farm life provides constant teaching opportunities that you just can’t replicate in other environments.

Recent lessons:

• When a calf was born breach, the kids learned about problem-solving under pressure
• During the drought, they understood water conservation viscerally
• When grain prices dropped, they experienced economic reality firsthand
• When a neighbor needed help, they saw community support in action

The Values We’re Instilling

Hard work pays off: You can see the direct results of your effort in healthy animals and good crops.

Respect for life: When you’re responsible for living creatures, you develop deep respect for all life.

Environmental stewardship: The land is not just a resource - it’s something we’re borrowing from future generations.

Community matters: Neighbors help neighbors, especially in rural areas where self-reliance is important but community support is essential.

Balancing Act

The challenge is helping our kids appreciate farm life without making them feel trapped by it. We want them to see farming as a choice, not a sentence.

How we do this:

• Expose them to other career options
• Support their individual interests and talents
• Travel to show them different ways of life
• Encourage education and exploration
• Make farming financially viable for the next generation

The Unexpected Benefits

Some benefits of farm life surprised even us:

Confidence: Kids who can handle a 1,200-pound bull aren’t intimidated by much else.

Practical skills: They can fix things, solve problems, and work with their hands.

Emotional intelligence: Caring for animals develops empathy and emotional awareness.

Physical fitness: Farm work keeps them active and strong.

Mental health: Connection to nature and meaningful work provides stability and purpose.

Challenges We Face

Social isolation: Rural areas have fewer kids, and farm schedules limit social time.

Educational limitations: Small rural schools may not offer all the opportunities urban schools do.

Economic pressure: Farming income can be unpredictable, affecting family financial security.

Generational pressure: The weight of family tradition can feel overwhelming.

What They’re Teaching Us

Our kids are also teaching us things:

• How to use technology more effectively on the farm
• New perspectives on environmental issues
• The importance of work-life balance
• How to explain farming to a generation that’s increasingly disconnected from agriculture

Looking Forward

Whether our kids choose farming or not, they’re learning lessons that will serve them well in any career:

• Responsibility and reliability
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Work ethic and perseverance
• Respect for nature and life
• Understanding of business and economics

The Real Reward

The real reward isn’t whether they become farmers - it’s knowing they’re growing up with strong values, practical skills, and a deep understanding of where food comes from and what it takes to produce it.

They’re learning that meaningful work is more important than easy work, that taking care of something bigger than yourself gives life purpose, and that the best classroom is often right outside your door.

Next week: How we’re planning to involve the kids in our agritourism dreams and why teaching others about farming excites them.