The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

5 Reasons Being a Farm Kid Rocks

December 5, 2013

If you had asked me back when I was 12, I would probably have told you that some of things mom and dad made us do were “child abuse.” Waking up at 6am to pick cantaloupe. Transplanting tomatoes in the mud. Working at the farm market. Pulling weeds.

But as an adult, I know that those things certainly didn’t hurt us one bit and, quite frankly, we probably benefited from doing them. 
Not everyone, however, thinks working on a farm is quite so wonderful. Not everyone sees the benefits of it. Some even want it banned. 
According to an article in The Nation kids working on a farm is a national travesty and my parents (and grandparents) are terrible people for allowing it:

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 banned child labor in factories and mines, but racist Southern politicians ensured the existence of enough loopholes to keep black children working on the farm. Now it’s young migrants who often do those jobs. And as [a reporter] demonstrates in the second feature of our investigative report, it’s not just nicotine poisoning and heat exhaustion, but the hazards involving farm vehicles, grain silos and manure pits, that endanger these children. 

(Note the insinuation that you’re supporting a racist idea if you think kids working on a farm is perfectly acceptable.)

 Yes, working on a farm can be dangerous – we have heavy equipment, we have potentially dangerous animals, and lots of other pitfalls. But, trust me, the benefits outweigh any of the hazards. Here are my top 5 reasons growing up on a farm was pretty awesome — and probably good for you too.

1. Farms kids are actually healthier than their non-farm counterparts. 

Research has shown that being on a farm is actually really good for kids. We encounter all sorts of things in the environment that strengthen our immune systems and allow us to fight off sickness and disease. We’re pretty strong kids and, later, adults.

2. Farm Kids Respect Other People (And Their Things!)

It happens all the time – someone runs over our crops with their dirt bike, picks our corn stalks for fall decorations, or steals our produce out of the field. We see how it upsets our parents, we understand that’s our money they’ve just taken, and we know what they did was wrong. We learn to respect other people and their property from the experience.

3. Farm kids spend a lot of time outside.

Instead of sitting in front of a television or computer screen, we actually went outside. We played games. We climbed trees. We got fresh air. We soaked up the sun. We got to use our imaginations. Being outside is good for you and we certainly spent a lot of time out there (even in the winter when we could have been in the house!).

4. Farm kids get to spend time with older relatives and other family members. 

I grew up working alongside mom and dad. Sure, we didn’t always get along, but I was certainly closer to them than many of my non-farm counterparts. We’re still close today and I’m fairly sure their positive influence rubbed off on me. But I also got to spend a lot of time with my grandparents. Unlike kids that see grandma and grandpa on the holidays, I actually saw mine (almost) every day during the summer. We spent a lot of time together and I got to know them as people. Now that 3 of them have left us, I cherish that time beyond measure.

5. Farm kids learn about hard work early.

The idea of hard work has been extremely beneficial to me in my adult life. I learned that on the farm. You have to get the job done before you can go have fun. It doesn’t work the other way around. Things aren’t handed to you on a silver platter. You don’t get any favors by watching TV all day or playing video games. When you actually accomplish something, that’s when you get the reward.

signature
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: city folk, family farms, farm culture, labor, truth

Comments

  1. Colby D Miller says

    December 5, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    That list could go on forever! But each of the things you listed are absolutely true. There isn't anything wrong with kids working on the farm, ESPECIALLY the children of farming families.

  2. Jenn says

    December 7, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Hi there! I just found your blog from something that one of my friends posted on Facebook. Any whose, I love your blog, especially this post! I grew up on a farm so I totally understand. Come check out our blog! :)Jenn @ Just Jenn & Her Friendhttp://justjennandherfriend.blogspot.com/

  3. Anonymous says

    December 8, 2013 at 1:35 am

    Everything is fine until some kid dies or is seriously injured. That doesn't seem to have happened to you. Do you know anyone that it did happen to?

    • thefarmersdaughter says

      December 8, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      It never happened to me and it never happened to anyone I know. But the world is a scary place and anything can happen to anyone at any time. Your child could drown in a swimming pool, get hit by a car pulling out of your driveway, or any other series of misfortune. That doesn't mean you avoid life, you just teach safety. That's what we do on the farm and we're more conscious of dangers, in general, that way.If you think something is dangerous for kids, look at the stats for backing out of your driveway: http://www.kidsandcars.org/back-overs.html

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter


Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 154

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 163

Error: You currently have access to a subset of Twitter API v2 endpoints and limited v1.1 endpoints (e.g. media post, oauth) only. If you need access to this endpoint, you may need a different access level. You can learn more here: https://developer.twitter.com/en/portal/product (error code: 453).
For more information, visit Error Codes & Responses.

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

4 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

In my latest for AGDAILY I take a look at that status of plant-based "milks" and the FDA's moves on labeling.

... See MoreSee Less

'Almond Beverage': Yes, a label is finally doing it right! | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

The FDA's draft guidance on the milk label is a decent compromise on which the nutritional differences with actual milk must be clearly stated.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

This man is a menace to society. It scares me to see certain groups giving him a favorable look."Conspiracy stories are simple, whereas reality is complicated."

... See MoreSee Less

Why RFK Jr.’s Science Disinfo Keeps Outrunning the Truth

plus.thebulwark.com

A conspiracy theory can be halfway around the world before a peer-reviewed replication can alphabetize its sources.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

It’s harvest season in Michigan. Remember that even if you have to slow down to 20 mph and follow a tractor for one mile, it takes only three minutes of your time – about the same amount as waiting for one stoplight.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

I'm just starting to look into the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act as a response to California's latest antics. This article is a good start.

... See MoreSee Less

Don’t let California override the EPA and hijack national farm policy

thehill.com

Some states — California, in particular — are trying to circumvent EPA’s career scientists with pesticide labeling regulations that conflict with the EPA’s scientific conclusions.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Go to mobile version