By Erik Spain
A few weeks ago my wife Secily and I took a trip to Chicago to celebrate our anniversary and it reminded me how lucky I was to be a West Texas farm kid.
We were taken aback by the beauty and architectural magnificence of the many skyscrapers. While examining the city’s great history and beauty, we wandered in and out of shops. I noticed many kids and teenagers hanging out in a mall as if that was the cool thing to do.
And I started to think how different my life would have been if I had spent my youth engulfed by consumerism and artificial happiness.
Growing up in a small town in West Texas and working on a farm, I didn’t have the so-called advantages many people from a city think are necessary.
But I had so many other experiences that molded me into the person I am today.
It is hard to quantify what learning to properly drive a tractor at the age of 7 or following granddad to the next field does for a young boy’s self-confidence. Those of us who grew up working on the farm and around agriculture were given responsibilities at such a young age that helped develop our love for hard work and showed us the need for integrity.
I do agree that it is the parents’ responsibility to raise good, self-reliant children. And there are many good, hard-working kids that come from cities. I feel as farmers and ranchers, we have so many more opportunities to teach our kids the value of dedication and hard work, and that you don’t need to spend money to have fun. There are so many lessons for kids to learn at the end of a dirt road.
Cities are important for trade and commerce to work in this world. But we need to realize that they aren’t the ultimate destination. Move outside of the manmade buildings and hectic lifestyle and step into rural America to see Mother Nature’s masterpieces. Farmers and ranchers work side-by-side with them every day to produce the food and fiber upon which we all depend.
Erik and Secily Spain represent District 2 on the Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee and farm cotton, corn and small grains on their farm near Olton.
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4 Responses to “Lessons learned at the end of a dirt road”
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Hi Erik, so true. I myself grew up on our family farm here in KY. Been involved with everything from a dairy, to hogs, beef cattle and grain. In 1999 i went to work at IBM, they sent me to Chicago for one week for orientation. Nice place to visit but definitely would not want to live there.
My little boy who is now 8 is the 4th gen to grow up on our farm. We had a Angus calf born yesterday morning in the snow and mud. I picked him up and with some help we got him to our house and put him in our mudroom. we did all we could but he was just too cold. As I sat there covered in mud explaining to Austin the calf had died I thought back to the times I had seen animals pass on that i had cared for. Makes no difference we raise these cattle for beef, as a responsible human not just a farmer you do everything you can to take care of and provide for your animals. You learn sometimes you do everything you can but in the end sometimes it isnt enough, you look around and see the other babes there in the field and other cows ready to calve counting on you and you have to move on more determined than ever. As with humans and cattle there are risks with birth, there are things we cannot control in life in general. This is a tough life and very rewarding at the same time, there are things you see but you never get used to. I think this is one issue with kids today and society today, when things go wrong people cant handle it and don’t know how to deal with it. It is life, you deal with it the best you can and make tough decisions. It may be family it may be animals but you move on cause you have others counting on you. This, one of the many lessons learned in my lifetime.
Well said.
Well said my man, well said. I thought about that several times while we were in Chicago and when I was living in Dallas. I wouldn’t trade my country childhood for anything. We are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to experience those things.
I love this and agree wholeheartedly. I especially love the line “Makes no difference we raise these cattle for beef, as a responsible human not just a farmer you do everything you can to take care of and provide for your animals” Great article, thanks for sharing!
~Taylor-Made Ranch~
Wolfe City, TX