On Your Table frequently shares posts from the women and men who grow the food we depend on to provide us with safe, nutritious and healthy food. They take that job very seriously.
We decided to ask them specifically what they wished non-farmers understood about them. Here is how they responded:
"I wish people understood all the decisions we need to make on the farm. For example, when to prepare the seed bed, what type of equipment to use and when, what type of seed, fertilizer and pesticides should be used and when. All of these decisions are made based in science and experience." – Sarah
"I wish people knew how much we really love and care about our animals, and their health and well-being. I wish they understood the emotional toll it takes on a person when you lose them." – Jolyn
"I wish people understood that being a farm wife means you must be extremely flexible. You must be able to drive the equipment, tend to the human babies and animals but also keep the house clean, drop everything at any moment to go help out where needed. You need to be able to make meals that can be enjoyed even if they run 5 hours late. You need to get the kids to their activities and keep everything running smoothly without skipping a beat. I wish people knew how lonely and exhausting yet magnificent, rewarding, and honoring farming is. Also, that we are not harming your food. Our families eat the same food." – Heather
"I wish people realized how dedicated farmers are. I mean, Dustin misses so much at home with his family, all so that he can grow food that strangers are going to eat. As a close second, I wish people knew how incredibly stressful farming is." – Alysa
"As I’m covered in hydraulic oil and grease, this is an easy one right now: I wish people knew how messy farming is (figuratively and literally). Marketing, financing, care of animals, maintenance on machinery, barns and field work, your house, policy and regulations, your vehicles, your schedules, it’s ALL messy! 😂😢" – Carie