Why Do We Do What We Do?

 "You work long hours. You don't get paid what you're worth. You never get a day off. Why do you do what you do?"

We farmers hear these types of comments all the time. I often feel that if you don't grow-up in a farm family, our career choice is a difficult one to wrap your head around. Why would anyone choose to work seven days a week, with long hours, with no medical benefit plan or paid vacation days? It's all about... passion.

Dairy farmers, like us, are passionate about caring for our cows; keeping them comfortable and healthy. Dairy farmers are passionate about caring for the environment; the land, air and water. Dairy farmers are passionate about our families; making a good life for us and our children. And dairy farmers are passionate about helping others; whether it is supplying dairy foods to a growing population, or raising our sons and daughters with a strong work ethic so they too can help others. Farmers are passionate. 

Last week I was surrounded by passionate people when I was asked to attend the Midwest Dairy Dairy Ambassador Workshop in Kansas City. Dairy farmers, along with Registered Dietitians came together to learn about how we can share our farm to table story. 

Brenda, Janet, Anne, Cindy, Becky

Registered Dietitians Cindy and Anne already knew the importance of dairy foods in our diet, but workshop activities gave farmers an opportunity to share what we do to produce these healthy foods and the love we have for what we do.

Dairy farm moms got together to learn about ways to share our farming passion through Twitter, FaceBook, Pinterest and Blogging. I was asked to speak on how I connect with consumers through blogging, a topic I was happy to take on.

Chris Heins, Heins Family Farms

With the average age of America's farmers being 58 years, I was excited to see the enthusiasm of the younger farmers that attended this workshop. It looks to me as though the passion for farming is going to continue for a very long time.