We all like things neat and tidy. We want everything to fit into the box we see as ideal. Our perceptions as to what is right, true, and good are shaped by our experiences and the people around us. Funny thing is, even those who have grown up in the same family have very different opinions on how they do things.
There are 5 kids in my family. Three of us have three children. Even though we were raised the same way in the same house, we parent very differently. We all remember family things differently. What sticks out in my sister’s mind as a significant event, I may have totally forgotten about. We each see the same things in a different manner.
When Jonathan and I went on our first date, I can remember what I wore, but I can never remember where we went to eat. Jonathan has a great memory for the details & places of significance in our relationship, but I tend to remember the emotions. It’s part of what makes us work together well. We can help to fill in each other’s gaps.
What does this have to do with agriculture? Everything. We each bring our unique perspectives to our farms and ranches. We have certain ways we like to do things, for reasons we probably cannot explain. Does that make me wrong if I do something a different way than you do? Absolutely not. The diversity in agriculture helps to fill in the gaps. We can’t all grow cotton or rice or soybeans or tomatoes. Consumers are asking for choices, and we have the ability to provide that.
We farm our crops organically. We like the process. The management, the record keeping, the constant assessments in the field, the soil management, the relationships with our buyers – we like it all. It suits our land, and it suits our personalities. Neither one of us thinks that everyone would be good at organic farming. We’re okay with that. We just want the opportunity to be the best organic farmers we can be. If your passion is raising cow/calf pairs in South Dakota, that’s awesome. Be the best rancher you can be. If your passion is raising vegetables and running a CSA, more power to you. It’s not where my passion lies, but I’m glad it’s yours – especially when I want a BLT.
The point is, agriculture is not a one size fits all you have to do it this way everything is black and white industry. Find your passion, and run with it. Just remember, my passion is going to be different from yours, and that’s okay. Just concentrate on being the best you can be in whatever you choose to do. Everyone should be given that opportunity.
Related posts:
Who Am I To Judge – For Farmers and Consumers
What Does it Mean to Love Our Neighbor?
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Carolyn, “just remember my passion is going to be different than yours and that’s okay”. Amen. I think we don’t need to push an agenda or passion on anyone but certainly share our passions. And we all can learn to appreciate one another’s differences in agriculture and align together, not pit against one another. Great insight. I want to see you on the next #FoodD panel. 🙂
Thank you, Katie! I love this thought – “And we all can learn to appreciate one another’s differences in agriculture and align together, not pit against one another.”
GOtta tell ya, I don’t think one size fits all in clothes or agriculture. Not even “one size fits most.” In fact, I wrote a post calling the whole idea a BS label. 🙂 http://janiceperson.com/photo/christmas-shopping-bs-labels-one-size-fits-all/
Amen! Thanks for sharing your link!
Amen. I get called out frequently for supporting choices, but where are we without choices? Brilliant post!
Thank you! It’s pretty sad when our peers feel the need to put us down. I think that attitude holds many people back from trying something new.
I wish there was a like button for each of these great comments! 🙂 Fantastic post! I’ll push it out of some of the http://www.AgChat.org channels on Monday so you still get some traffic then. PS I was getting very frustrated right along side of you yesterday!
Thank you, Jenny! I really appreciate the support from my ag blogging mentors! 🙂
Great post Carolyn! I think you did a great job explaining why having different types of agriculture fit the choices and preferences that everyone has.
Thank you, Val!
So well said! I agree 100%!
Thanks Carolyn, I appreciate your perspective, folks are often flabberghasted when I tell them we decertified our organic ground. I often say is wasn’t sustainable for our operation and immediately someone jumps on me and says “what do you mean organic isn’t sustainable?” to which I then reply.,… “That’s NOT what I said”. ?There are numerous reasons why which i won’t go into here but its exactly like you said, one size does not fit all.