From sunrise to sunset, no one wears more hats than mom. From breakfast to school, sports and everything in between, you can juggle it all. To celebrate Mother’s Day, we’re giving you a glimpse into farm life through the eyes of country moms.
Maybe we have more in common than you think.
Morning on the farm
Farm moms are just like you; While the daily responsibilities on the farm may have slightly different meanings, we are equally committed to caring for our family and making the best decisions for them.
When the morning alarm rings and children are getting ready for school or kindergarten, there is a lot of traffic. Even though I work full time off the farm, mornings are a time when we wonder where our family will be all day and what we are all working on. Our nursery pickup and drop-off routine is based on what is happening on our farm throughout the year.
Spring sowing is currently underway, so on days when the weather is nice, my husband often sits in the tractor seat sowing corn or soybeans. She goes home when the sun comes up, which means I’m responsible for taking our daughter to kindergarten.
On such days, I like to reach for a quick and straightforward to prepare breakfast that we can easily eat away from home (like Gather Wisconsin’s Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins). We have a variety of nutritious breakfasts and snacks on hand, so our entire family can be nourished and full of energy throughout the day.
Afternoon grind
The role of a farmer goes beyond the boundaries of the farm. Many of us, including me, combine responsibilities on the farm with work outside the farm. While balancing these demands, the most significant thing is to ensure the safety of our family and those around us.
Precision technology plays a key role in our approach to safety, not only for ourselves, but also for the lives of others and the environment. Precision technology enables us to operate agricultural equipment with unrivaled accuracy, reducing our impact on the environment and mitigating potential hazards. With GPS-controlled tractors and drones, we enhance efficiency while minimizing risk. Using these cutting-edge solutions, we prioritize safety without sacrificing productivity and sustainability.
Moreover, my husband operates equipment on public roads and his priority is to get home safely while ensuring the safety of other drivers. We follow strict protocols throughout our farm to ensure the visibility of our machinery, including reflective markings, flashing lights and delayed moving vehicle (SMV) signs. We appeal to drivers for patience and caution when encountering agricultural equipment on the road. Simple gestures such as slowing down, keeping a protected distance and showing patience can go a long way in preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users. By supporting mutual respect and awareness, we strive to create a safer environment for all road users.
As you make your family’s food choices, remember that farmers prioritize protected and sustainable practices that benefit us all. You too can do your part by practicing sustainability at home and being patient when sharing the road with farm equipment. Together we can create a safer environment for our families, our communities and our planet.
Our evening routine
Like you, I value family dinner as an opportunity to connect and reflect on the day. This is an opportunity to prioritize time together in your busy schedule. Sometimes that means meeting at the table, but during the busiest time of year it more often looks like visiting your husband in the field with your daughter for dinner on the go.
On nights like these, we rely on mobile food options that take nutritional values into account. By local beef for burgers or pork shoulder for slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches are just some of our options that fit our busy lifestyles while living up to our values of supporting local people and staying robust.
Being a farm mom comes with its unique set of challenges and triumphs. Navigating the complexities of contemporary farming while balancing work-life demands can be stressful. Yet amidst the challenges, it doesn’t take long to find moments of pride, whether it’s witnessing a successful harvest or watching my child grow up with a deep appreciation for the earth.
The role of mom is a dainty balance like no other. Safety, nutrition, sustainability and love for family are everyday values that mothers at every level of life know and understand. This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate the resilience and sacrifice of mothers both on and off the farm, and commit to a future that is sustainable and protected for our families, communities and the planet.
