ask a farmer: how do I think like a farmer?
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve done an “ask a farmer” post - but these times call for voices of resilience, pragmatism and experience. Who better to ask than a farmer?
The question is, ‘How do I Think Like a Farmer?’ What are the traits and habits that I want to embody during times of uncertainty? Here’s their advice.
Kate Traugott Zip ties are your friend. Thinking about pushing the wheelbarrow is always worse than pushing the wheelbarrow.
forest.wife Diversity as a contingency plan!
dougblackburn9 don’t buy what you can make, don’t pay someone to do what you can do
Jennifer LaMere Waste nothing. Be resourceful. Live minimally. Save. Be prepared. Take care of yourself. Get proper rest. Know how to can, pickle, and sew.
Becky Frye Accomplish what you can with the tools at hand (improvise and think on your feet), but be willing to invest in the tools that save you time and energy. There is simply no way to keep all the information in your head. Label things, make lists, set reminders up for yourself.
Stephanie Frisby Lots of things can be used to start seeds in, transplant plants into, etc... Every part is a labor of love- don’t neglect it
Hr Mawby learn to read the nature around you. When do the geese come back, are the lilacs blooming, are the wood ticks out, are the leaves changing colors, is there fog in the morning - all of these things will give you an insight into what Mother Nature has in store and how much time you have to get things done
Heather Ann Moore Be versatile and creative! Every problem has a solution if you think out of the box.
Megan Kolk VanSchothorst Remember that much is out of your control: the weather, precipitation, disease, political agendas, legislation, fear-mongering advertisements, consumers’ preference, etc. What you can control is how quickly and effectively you deal with the constant change.
Sarah Dossey Do your research, plan ahead, and learn from your mistakes.
K H von Bargen Make do or do without. Duct tape (baling wire, bailing twine) will fix that.
Ellie Kirchner Everything starts with healthy soil. Eat what is seasonal - it is cheaper and more nutritious!
Meagan Burns Watch the animals, see how they behave and respond.
Anna Meador Early to bed, early to rise.....
Christine Elliott A good well-stocked pantry and an easy scone recipe!
Kate Edwards Put in the work but then have patience... it takes time for seeds to grow, but they must also be tended.
Marianna Tessello Understand your land and the landscape it sits on. Contextualizing your situation is important, and the stories of everything that happened here before your time are a valuable part of your context.
Christine Elliott Soil test. Know your soil, know what it needs. A good agronomist, fertilise at the right time. Pasture renovate. Genetics - Eat your own meat!
Stacey Jimenez Sometimes it's a farm. Sometimes it's a circus. Roll with it.
Kelly Ann Oxenham Plan ahead!
Cat Anderson Don't get too excited or nervous over much .. it is what it is
Jacquelyn Moses Live the life you have with the resources available to you. Focusing on anything that requires something outside that bubble is a waste to time.
Buzzard @brandibuzzard Fresh air and dirt is good for the soul
Shanelle Donaldson @Shanelle33 Set a schedule for even seemingly mundane things - Create a task list Listen to and honor your body - Listen to and honor the environment you inhabit- Eat meals that will nourish and sustain you in your workday.
DeeLovesEarth @DeeLovesEarth Plan, plan, plan, ADAPT, re-plan, plan plan, ADAPT.. repeat
mollympetersonphotographer Get creative. “Make due”. Listen closely to Earth/Nature. Think beyond yourself.
everydaygoodlifecoop Always think of the multiple uses of things. How can we make use of our limited resources to meet multiple needs? This applies to resources of time, finances, equipment, nature, labor, and our own energy. Be creative, think critically, and enjoy the work!
asiyah43 Help your neighbor, help yourself. (Community is so necessary.)
cp_sty How to use what you already have for a different purpose
flatheadfarmworks Expect failure. Learn from it. Plan the work and work the plan, but know that everything is changeable.
drtgirlalways remember farming is incredibly difficult, and heartbreaking, but oh so rewarding...always approach challenges or emergencies with a calm demeanor and critical thinking
whitehoofacres Cheap and practical before pretty and fancy
simplegoodnesssisters Be innovative, think at least a year in advance, don’t wait for someone to do it for you, earn your keep, be ready to go to work rain or shine, focus on the long game.
farmerclara Plan like a four season farmer and plan FOUR seasons ahead to maximize crop production and supply.
thecorsefarm Second work smarter not harder, waste not want not, draw your wisdom from the land, the day you stop learning is the day you die, LISTEN, failure is a learning opportunity, the only thing you can control is how you show up in each day. Watch out for the pennies and the dollars will look out for themselves. Pragmatism, pragmatism, pragmatism.
jmlam12 Work smarter, not harder
thedaringalli Reuse/recycle everything you can.
trout_creek_farm Plan ahead but remain flexible
wild.flower.kate Thinking outside of the box!
triple_j_pastures_llc Creative reuse for any & everything
foragedfarms Be resourceful!
grace.vranac Have patience. Farming will humble you!
jonczaklandscape Always be thinking six months ahead
witchelliott Have a good working dog or two!
jcgenny utilize all your native plants and seeds from those plants
thedaringalli In good times plan for bad times
strawpcktfarm Making plans is essential, so is planning to be flexible.
dharma_lea Plan, monitor and replan. :) and think holistically.
mojipie The shit from your chickens is as valuable as their eggs or meat. Don’t waste anything.
getbentzfarm Baling twine can be used for everything. Nothing is wasted.
ferrissdonham Make due with whatever you have... nature is a store and we just have to open our eyes to it. “Let nature do the work”
morganleal Somethings are beyond your control, but give your all regardless.
crisp_produce_and_preserves Get up early every day
witchelliott Planning, a year calendar. Resources/key advisors. Duct tape zippy ties and WD40.
rblondie If first you don’t succeed, try again!
splitacrefarm We always say ‘don’t make promises in January or decisions in August’
firstandsouth Have energizing snacks ready to help through the day!!!
dotranch First time you fail might be bad luck or crap weather. The second time you have the same failure might be more of the same. The third time is separator of bad ideas from good. The only control you have is over your own actions and reactions, so try to learn the wisdom of how to shut up and defer to a more experienced voice. Old farmers are your friends, their knowledge has just as much value as that guy who’s selling books about permaculture after only homesteading for five years. Knowledge is only as good as your willingness to hang up your own ego and listen to the advice of others.