"How's work?" It's such an easy question, and for most anybody that answers it, there is a quick one-word response.
"Good" or "Busy"
For me, this simple question is loaded with a long explanation. I'm no longer selling seed in the two neighboring counties, and I've moved onto my dream career: Farming with my family.
I grew up on a 5th generation farm and since Highschool, I've known that eventually I wanted to follow my grandfather and father's footsteps and take over the family business. As of January 8th, I was given that opportunity.
I remember a trip to the State Capitol several years ago. My FFA State Officer team was meeting with the president of a farm lobby group, Kevin. Kevin asked us to introduce ourselves and as part of the introduction, tell him your dream job. I went first by saying, "my name is Dan Helvig and I just want to be a farmer when I grow up."
Kevin stopped the introductions immediately. "Just a farmer?!?!? Just!?!? Don't short-change yourself. As a farmer you need to be an entrepreneur, a master marketer, a constant learner, a hard worker, and a innovative businessman. Not to mention a plant biologist, agronomist, animal nutritionist and large engine mechanic. Farming was the occupation of our nations forefathers and Farmers will always be the most important occupation, because no doctor will find a cure for cancer if they're worried about where their next meal is coming from. No scientist will solve global warming if he's worried that his next meal isn't safe to eat, and no student can afford the time for more schooling if they need to grow their own food first."
Kevin's comments that day have always stuck with me, but as I start this new chapter in my life I think of these comments every day.
