Truth from the Trenches
By Melissa Hart

As I sit and write, I can hear the hum of the vacuum cleaner, the dinner dishes clanking in the sink and voices arguing over which way the towels are supposed to be folded. It’s a beautiful sound.

For women in agriculture, especially those who hold down a job on the farm and off the farm, this is a sound that needs to be heard on a regular basis, if she is to survive her hectic, breathless lifestyle. There is no getting around the fact that off-farm income is a must on a lot of farm operations, but does that mean we have to suffer the frustration of an unkempt house, half-done chores and an unruly laundry room?

From prioritizing the jobs in front of us, to worrying about the reign of leadership in the next generation to simply the lack of enjoyment in one task because we know there are 13 more jobs lined up in front of us, are all things that plague women in agriculture.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am fully aware there are millions of other women who have mountains of work who have nothing to do with producing food and fiber for the world, but you have to admit, the women who make up the world of agriculture are a different breed of cat. Essentially, women who hold down the farm fort plus leave every day for town employment have three jobs.

They are in charge of the home and filling the needs of the family; they undoubtedly have a few farm tasks that help free up the farmer they know and love; and then, of course, employment in town. Show me an industry filled with women who tackle three jobs on a regular basis and do it well and I’ll show you an industry with indescribable strength and all their I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

But if you peer into that industry just a little deeper you will also see a group of worn-out women with frustrations running over. Those frustrations can either break her or lead her to a solution.

Having a pity party is fun, but it doesn’t accomplish much unless you invite the right people. I decided to throw myself a big pity party and invited someone I thought would really enjoy listening to me whine. The party started out great as he listened to me carry on about all my work woes, but suddenly things went south as he began to “fix” my situation.

I’ll never forget what he said: “You have four kids and you have that much work to do? Are you crazy? Anyone with four kids at their disposal should have things under control; I don’t feel sorry for you at all.” (Ouch, that hurt!)

He continued: “If you have four kids, then they should all have jobs to do inside and outside. It’s your job to manage what you have, and you’re not a very good manager.”

When he was done with his diatribe, it was like a light-bulb moment as I rose from the pity-party queen to CEO in one deep breath. I realized he was right – I had four kids at my disposal and not only was I failing as a manager, but I was denying them the chance to contribute fully to the family farm.

How many other women out there are in the same boat? You have a workforce under your feet with varying levels of capability, yet you still find yourself folding the laundry, washing the dishes, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn? De-stressing your life may include doling out the duty list and sharing some responsibility with those who need some.

The bottom line is: Don’t be selfish with your workload – spread the joy of a job well done, and you may be surprised at the lighter load and the self-confident workforce sharing supper with you.

Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.