Profit isn’t a four-letter word.
I understand why some people are cynical. We’ve all come across hucksters and snake-oil salesmen. They’ll tell you anything you want to hear just to entice you to purchase their product. Not everyone has good intentions and values are often disregarded just to make a few dollars.
But the reality is that all of us are working for profits. That’s precisely why we go to work every day. Sure, we might really love what we do, but we still need that paycheck. We have to make money to support ourselves and our families. We have to put a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, warm water in the pipes, and heat in the vents. And, if we’re honest, we also want enough money for some frivolities.
That doesn’t make you a bad person. It doesn’t mean you’re lying to people. It doesn’t mean you’ve sold your morals down river for cash. It just means you’re just like everyone else.
Too many people believe farmers are doing bad things just to earn a buck. They believe we’re willing to deplete our soils, poison our crops, abuse our animals, and dirty our water. Why? Just so we can buy nicer things. I’m sure farmers like that exist. I don’t personally know any, but I won’t tell you it never happens. There are bad people in every profession.
But the vast majority of farmers are just like the vast majority of everyone else–good people. We don’t lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead. We take pride in our work, our farms, and our produce. Farmers try to make money for the same reasons that everyone else does–to make ends meet.
So next time you’re tempted to judge someone just for making a living, think again. Is this person really trying to increase profits, or are they trying to make a living.
