Why I Write

I write to entice you, woo you, and lure you into my world.  As I weave the words together, they become an awesome force and you will be coerced, convinced and perhaps convicted to see the value of my occupation.

I write to convey feelings in hopes of allowing you to share the glory, the success, the pathos that are just part of everyday life here on the hill. I know that if you were to take part, truly experience even one day in my life, you would come to appreciate food and farming in a way that you never imagined.

I write to capture the beauty of the brand-new day, the despair and hope that follow tragedy, the victory of a hard-fought battle and the satisfaction of a job well done. 

I write to allow you a glimpse into a world you may otherwise never have opportunity to see.

I write to share the commitment, passion and pride that keep us doing a job that has little monetary reward and is most often taken for granted and belittled by the average consumer, many of whom have reached the small-minded conclusion that “anyone can farm”.

I write to erase the stereotypical image of dirt and sweat and overalls with one of caring and compassion. To replace your assumption of ignorance with evidence of wit and humor, creative problem solving and adaptability.

I write to convey the importance of a seemingly lowly occupation, replacing your contempt with a new-found respect.

I write to share the deepness of my soul, in hopes that you will want to know more…that you too will value what I (and others like me) do and that you will actively seek the truth and not be deceived by the constant barrage of false information and half-truths.

I write so that you who have never known this hard and challenging way of life might see one small glimpse into a way of life for a people with a passion and a purpose, who devote their lives to others whether they are appreciated or not, and make survival possible for all of us.

I write so that this moment in time does not go unrecorded.  There is value in today and its challenges, the successes and the failures…and when future generations look backward, it will be by my words that someone will recall the loveliness, the harsh realities, the sum and substance of life on the farm.

I write so that I can share my heart. My passion for and commitment to this way of life knows no bounds.  I hope that my words have the power to touch your heart, to change your mind and perhaps alter your course.

I write so you can know the joys and the pains that make up a portion of every single day.   

I write as a testimony to the mercies and provisions of God above.  Our success is completely dependent upon Him and without Him we could do nothing.

I write so that you will be challenged to look beyond the four walls that make up your world. 

I write so that you can taste a sun-ripened tomato with the sweet, sticky juice dripping down your hand. 

I write so that you can see the beauty of the sunrise and feel the peacefulness of the barn as the animals doze. 

I write so that you can hear the hen’s excited cackle as she lays her daily egg.

I write so that you be touched by the bitter cold, the blazing heat, the gentle rains and the whirling winds that each have a place in the life on the farm. 

I write so that you can smell the damp earth after a much-needed rain brings life to the ground once more.

I write to educate, engage and entertain so that you desire to understand just what it takes to get that sustenance on your plate at every meal.

I write not for monetary compensation (although that would be greatly appreciated).  I write because it is part of who I am and what I do...
I write because I care.

In essence, I write so that you indeed can “know your farmer, know your food.” By allowing you to see my own vulnerability and human-ness, it is my hope that you would begin to comprehend that all farmers, everywhere, regardless of size or practice, share my deep commitment and passion for what can be a hard, hard way to make a living.

To promote a sense of connection, to teach and to inspire, fostering further understanding and goodwill, to encourage a sense of true appreciation for the blessings of food, clothing and shelter that we all take a little too much for granted…

                               …that is why I write.

                                                         …now, how do I get y'all to read…?