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Avoid the Common Stereotyping of Farmers
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One of my major responsibilities in life has been to help my wife raise four children. One of the first things I learned about child rearing is that even when the doctor tells you your twins are identical; they will grow up to be opposites. Diane was very outgoing, while Donna was quiet and reserve. Diane loved marching band and Donna wanted nothing to do with it. Donna had Simmental cattle and Diane had to have Angus. Diane went to OSU and lived on campus while Donna preferred living at home and going to Wright State University. I repeat, the doctor said they were identical.
One of the things we are to teach our children is not to stereotype people. Everyone is unique and different, even identical twins. This bring me to my subject for today: stereotyping of farmers by the American public. Phyllis Hill in the Clark SWCD feels like many of us, that the public stereotypes farmers into a group which resembles Walter Brennan in the TV series, "The Real McCoys", where grandpa wore bib-overalls, lacked education and could only till the soil and milk the cow. The premise of today's article is that farmers are different and that farming is so complex today that only a select few of the total U.S. population could succeed in this occupation we call farming. In today's modern agriculture no one can or should stereotype farmers because they're all different. Some love livestock, while the majority hope to never see manure created again on their farm except by wildlife and the dog. Some farmers never allow the dog in the pickup while around South Charleston it's a status symbol on how many dogs ride in the back of your pickup! Work clothes for farmers very greatly. In the 1960's, Grandpa Caldwell always carried his pocket watch, wallet and a fold-up measuring stick in his bib-overalls. Today, those denim overalls are a rare site except on Jim Timmons, while Lonnie Barclay is always in shorts. Many farmers prefer blue jeans and T-shirts, while the younger generation like Brian Harbage can be found in shorts and a free T-shirt. When winter hits, most can be found in Carhartt insulated coveralls. It's been a privilege to serve farmers as a County Extension Agent because I have gained a deep appreciation for the complex world a farmer deals with everyday. The U.S. public basically is trained or goes to college to specialize in a specific job. Today's American Farmer has to have skills in a multitude of professions to be successful in our fast-changing world. Due to space I am only going to discuss one skill and then list many others. To be successful a farmer must be a mechanic. In Clark County, when April rolls around 600 farmers head to the fields to plant corn. You can expect equipment breakdowns. There are only four tractor dealerships left in Clark County. In planting crops, time is money. There is no way four dealerships can keep 600 farmers' equipment up-and-running every day we can get in the field. A farmer must be a mechanic. Also, a farmer must possess skills in the following professions: welding, accounting, farm law, politician, wildlife officer, veterinarian, construction, finance, animal husbandry, corporate executive, marketing, entomologist, plant pathologist, good neighbor, plumber, electrician, research scientist and an eternal optimist, just to mention a few. Ten year ago Ann Lander wrote an article in support of farmers titled "In Appreciation of Executives in Overalls". I kept that article, but the title doesn't fit because most today are not in overalls. Phyllis challenged me to come up with a new word for farmer since farmer is stereotyped. "Jack-of-all-trades", is too long. Producer is the term we use today but people other than farmers could be producers. Maybe, there is no word in the English language deserving enough for one who is so talented and risks everything to feed us cheaply. If you come up with that deserving word, let me know. One thing I do know, we are very fortunate to have them. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868 Updated: July 2002 |