Well, That Didn’t Go as Planned
Every producer has a picture in their mind of what they want their farm to look like. It could be a farm that feeds their family, a profitable side business, or simply a place for them to unwind and escape the stress that comes with life. For many that are just getting started, they come to a point where they look at what they have and see it is not matching what they envisioned. This is a frustrating situation, and it can feel like everything is against you. You may not have time to get to all the necessary jobs, equipment is breaking down, and/or the weather isn’t cooperating. The good news is that these feelings are normal. Getting things back on track will require patience and a plan.
Reconnect with Your Purpose
Even when things are going perfectly, it is easy to get caught up in your daily tasks and you forget about why you are farming in the first place. In many of our programs we encourage small farm owners to create mission, vision, and goals statements. Ask yourself: Why did I start this farm? What matters most to me? What kind of life do I want this farm to support? Craft these into a short statement that you can print out and put by your desk, hang in the kitchen, or post in the barn. As you make decisions, or plan your next steps, ask yourself if it helps move you towards your vision. No two farms will have the same vision. This is what makes your farm unique and gives you a point to focus on. It can also change as your circumstances change.
Accept Reality
Once you refocus you need to assess where you are at in relation to your goals and begin creating a plan to move forward. I find it is helpful to make lists. Start with what has gone well. This list may be depressingly short, but these are still successes and may be pointing towards your strengths. We often focus on improving our weaknesses instead of capitalizing on the things we do well. How do you keep these as strengths? Can you take advantage of these and make them even better?
Acknowledge what isn’t working. When things are not going as planned, many farmers spend their energy wishing circumstances were different. While reflection is valuable, dwelling on disappointment often keeps us stuck. You need to determine why something isn’t working. Do you have the time, knowledge, equipment, and/or resources to make it better? It may also be helpful to break this list into two categories: what you can control and what you can’t. You can’t manage those things that are out of your control. Weather, commodity prices, and input costs can change quickly. Customers can be fickle and preferences change frequently.
Set Smaller, Clearer Goals
Focus on the things you do well, and the areas that need improved where you have some control over the future outcome. You can begin to make goals to tackle the changes you want to make. A goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). Don’t stress about changing everything at once. Choose one to three priorities for the next season. Find the “low hanging fruit” so that you can have some early success that builds towards accomplishing the larger, long-term, goals that lead towards your ultimate vision. Don’t forget to include points on what you need to complete the goal. You may look to attend an Ohio State University Extension program that increases your knowledge of a subject. You could connect with other growers to see what is working for them. Maybe you need to acquire other resources to make the job easier. Review goals regularly, measure results, and adjust plans as conditions change. Focus on progress rather than perfection.
Final Thoughts
If your farm is not what you hoped it would be, you are not alone. Accept reality, concentrate on what you can control, reconnect with your purpose, and set achievable goals. The farm may never match the picture you had in your head, but it can still become something you are proud to build. Ohio State University Extension is here to help. I encourage you to contact your County Extension Educator to learn about the resources we provide. There are also specialists in many subject areas that are willing to assist. In the end, don’t worry about figuring it all out yourself and keep your head up.
We will be hosting a manure safety and precision application field day on August 4th at the Sterling Heights Dairy shop. The program will be a demo on managing manure spills, an overview of OSU manure application research, an explanation of the John Deere Harvest Lab 3000 nutrient mapping tool, and how to use this data to create a precision nutrient application plan. The program is free and lunch will be provided. The program flyer can be found on our website’s events page at https://wayne.osu.edu. If you have questions, or would like to register, contact the OSU Extension office at 330-264-8722.