Since it’s National Ag Week I thought it would be fun to share my story. I grew up on a farm in the little town of Smiths Creek, Michigan. It’s where I learned the value of a hard days work, dedication to seeing my projects through, and the satisfaction of getting out what you put into your labor. I may be biased but I had the best childhood ever! My dad brought home surprise animals like most fathers bring home candy. I never knew if he would have baby chicks or goats, a couple times it was bunnies, and one time he even brought us baby raccoons that we nursed back to health before setting them free. My sisters and I had room to roam and could often be found in the woods building forts or dressing up baby calves for make-believe shows. Now, as a mother myself, I am so thrilled to see my girls settling into this country life. They are horse crazy, love dirt and have no fear of heights while climbing trees or bales of hay. I look at them with my mom and dad on the farm that I grew up on- that my father grew up on and know that we will do whatever it takes to make sure it continues on for the next generation. I see no question that we have more than a few future farmers in my nieces and nephews.
Our family grows hay on just over 300 acres & raises cattle. You may have noticed but my dad is one of my all-time favorite subjects. He’s often covered in grease, hay and always in a hat but on most days he is also always smiling & laughing. He pretends he hates his photo taken but I’m pretty sure he secretly loves it. There have even been a few times people have recognized him in public from my photography which just boggles his mind. He along with my sister Megan & her husband Mark is in the early stages of a cow-calf operation focusing on raising grass-fed beef. We are all so excited because it will be their first calving season with more than 20 heifers bred and due this spring. Through the long Michigan winters, we feed hay to sustain the cows until the warmer weather turns the pastures back to green. The hay we grow is a high-quality blend that my dad has been perfecting for years. He loves to talk grass seed. His favorites are timothy, alfalfa, and orchard grass. Remember that hard work I mentioned? Nothing tests a character like being stuck in a dusty hayloft when its 90 degrees (plus humidity) and putting up endless amounts of hay. My dad is famous for saying “Just a hundred more”
I asked my dad why he likes farming and he said,” I always think I might get rich” and then laughed a huge belly laugh because everyone knows that’s not usually the case. What he really likes about farming is just working with his hands and seeing a project through. But more than that it’s about working with and for our family. My husband and I just bought our own 10 acres. It may be small but it’s a start. I’ve aspired to have my own farm for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to get chickens and bring home random animals for my girls just like my dad did. We are breaking ground this May to build and my sisters laugh because I planned the placement of the barn, pasture, and orchard before even finalizing the blueprints for our house. That will be another story altogether that I can’t wait to share with you. Stay tuned!
I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into my home life & the importance of Agriculture to my family. If you are looking for a Michigan photographer to document your family farm I would love to connect and talk more.