Am I a Farmer?

Earlier this week I had the honour of talking about our journey into cheesemaking at our local Dairy Women’s Summit. A yearly event organized by West Coast Robotics (a milking robot supply company - yes they sell robots that milk cows!), the Summit is a wonderful way to connect with other women in the dairy industry. We had time to network and connect and we heard from amazing women in our industry: veterinarians, fellow farmers, and a milking robot technician.

As I was preparing my presentation I once again started pondering the question that flits through my mind every so often: am I really still a farmer? It stuck with me, so i added a note to address that in my presentation. And I was glad i did - that evening, listening to the farmer who presented before me, hearing about her life running her farm with her mom also added to those doubts about whether I could still really call myself a farmer.

You see, I no longer milk our cows or even spend all that much time doing barn or field chores. When our creamery business really started to take off 2 years ago I was just getting too busy to continue working in both the barn and the creamery while finding enough energy to care for my family. Something had to give. And since it is easier to find farm employees than it is to find someone to run the office and marketing side of a newly begun cheese business, I decided that my place was in the creamery more than in the barn. And I truly am happy with that decision. Nothing fills my cup more than connecting with our customers and helping to feed our community. But since I am no longer involved in the day to day work of the farm aside from when all hands are needed in the barns during the busy harvest season, am I still a farmer?

It’s especially when I’m around others who are more “farmer-ish” than I am that a bit of that pesky imposter syndrome arises. When I talk to other men and women who are out there milking their cows, taking care of herd health visits with the vet, mixing up feed, raking grass in the fields, and doing all the “farmer things” then I sometimes feel like they are part of a club to which maybe I can not really claim membership. And I know that feeling of being a pretend farmer is a “me” thing, not something that other farmers imply or suggest. I know that especially my female farming friends view me as one of their own, and it’s wonderful to be a part of this talented, passionate and diverse group of women.

BUT - and here’s where the source of my conundrum comes in - I AM involved in our farm in so many other ways. I’m involved in all of the decision making for the farm. Johannes and I are always talking about farm things, I know what’s going on with the cows, and I still often find myself visiting my bovine girls throughout the week. I take care of all the farm bookkeeping and I’m in charge of the yearly organic renewals and our ProAction inspections. I sit in and partake in bank meetings, accountant discussions, and nutritionist and crop advisor brainstorming sessions. And honestly, it’s when I lead farm tours or share about our farm here on social media or in person with you in the farm shop or at farmers markets that I feel MOST like a farmer. I love connecting you with your food, I love answering your questions about how your food is raised and produced, and I love having that close connection with those who choose to support our farm and family.

So yes, I’ll affirm it to myself again : I AM A FARMER. Even though I might not take such a hands-on role in caring for our cows anymore, I still feel that same sense of responsibility in ensuring they are happy and healthy, and that really is what is most important of all.

And here’s what I found to be most heartwarming. When I shared these thoughts with the audience at the Dairy Women’s Summit, I looked around the room and saw so many nodding heads, and in the past week I’ve received numerous messages from my fellow farm women as well to tell me I’m not the only one struggling with these thoughts. As farm women/farmhers/dairy women, we’re often the ones wearing so many hats. Even if we do work out in the barns, our job description often includes things like meal maker, parts runner, laundry folder, lawn mower, and so many more jobs that happen behind the scenes of busy farm life. Jobs that are necessary - without them the farm couldn’t function - but jobs that are not often seen as the farm jobs they actually are. And because we’re the ones doing those jobs doesn’t mean we can’t also claim the title of farmer. We’re integral parts of our family farms and we. are. farmers.

I’m curious: would you agree? And more importantly, do you see me as YOUR farmer? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below; i’d love the feedback!