Farm Profits

This week, I had the fortune of spending time with a group of women farmers for dinner and conversation regarding farm finances organized by PA Women in Agriculture Network. I learn so much from this group of amazing women…not just about farm finances, but about life.

One of the topics of conversation during our get together was our “profits” from the farm and from our businesses, a topic I’ve been thinking about a lot lately based on a couple of conversations I had at PASA.

I attended a workshop at PASA titled, “Holistic Financial Planning to Build Wealth,” with speakers from the Savory Institute. When speaking about profit on the farm, and putting profits first, Willy Denner from the Savory Institute stressed knowing what your PROFITS are beyond money.  This week, I’ve been thinking about this and adding up my profits and realize how rich I am.  I know that some of these “profits” won’t pay the bills, but these profits reaffirm the sacrifices I choose to make to be able to live the life we do.

In relation to the above, Friday evening at dinner I had a conversation with someone who said, “My brother-in-law (John) measures the value of a job by the amount of relaxation time he has.”  This concept is sooooo hard for me, as I come from a family who values HARD WORK…FOR OTHERS…you know, two jobs is commendable…working your ass off for someone else is all they’ve ever known, and most do not understand my lifestyle…they’re always keeping me in their thoughts and adding me to their prayer lists in the hopes that I’ll find a job.  Bless them.

When I first started dating Mike, I had a teaching job, and I didn’t “work” 40 hours/week on the clock.  Now, I graded papers, read essays, wrote tests, wrote lesson plans, etc., all “off the clock,” but I once told him that I felt guilty because I didn’t work at least 40 hours a week.  He kind of laughed and said, “I want to live my life so that I’m working to live, not living to work.  You should do that, too.”  I understood what he was saying, and knew that it was a good quote, but didn’t have a clue about how to put it into practice in my own life.

I think I’m getting there, though, and John’s valuation of a job above really hit home for me.  Maybe it’s because I’m getting old-ER, but I can see the value in relaxation time.  I can see the value in more time for my family, myself, doing things I enjoy, literally stopping to smell the flowers or enjoy a sunrise or sunset, or just resting when I’m tired.

As I add up my profits in our farm with the help of Recycled Financial Equipment, I marvel at the fact that I get to take my child to school every day and pick him up!  Every single day he comes out of the doors at the school and yells, “Momma!” as soon as he sees me, and my heart swells.  Today I will attend his Valentine’s Day class party.  What a blessing.

My wish for you…may you all know and value your profits.

Your Farm Chickie,

Christie