What is a farmer....?
A commercial farmer is a business man.
A family farmer is a jack of all trades.
The Old Farmer was a mechanic.
He had to keep the tractor running.
The Old Farmer was an electrician.
Rewiring lamps and plugs.There was an electric fence
around the animal pens. A mild shock we used to play with.
But kept the animals inside.
The Old Farmer was a plumber.
He fixed the water pump, he fixed leaks, he ran sewer lines.
The Old Farmer was a contractor.
Repairs to the barns as necessary. Moving the shed.
Drywall and wallpapering.
Fixing the double hung windows.
The Old Farmer practiced husbandry.
He knew about farm animals. Breeding hogs, raising cows,
gelding piglets (some things don't oblige description! )
The Old Farmer was a hunter.
He knew where the deer were, how to run a rabbit,
shoot a pheasant on the fly.
And of course The Old Farmer was a farmer!
We had the family garden. He grew winter wheat
and corn and hay.
The Old Farmer was an accountant.
He kept the records and filed the taxes.
The Old Farmer was a volunteer.
A volunteer fireman. A volunteer at the church.
A good neighbor.
The Old Farmer was first and foremost a father.
He hung the tree swing. Built a sand box. Taught the children
his skills. The man in the moon. The cut worm.
Corn should be knee high by the fourth of July,
Using tools. We tagged around after him learning
all these things and more.
In short a "farmer" took care of businss. No excuses.
