Fresh Picked: At the Table Together

At the Table Together

Farmers care about what you and your family consume.

By Erica Lain

Writing about my experiences growing up in agriculture through Fresh Pickings magazine has been a joy this past year. Some of you may look back and have many of those same fond memories on the farm. Others may be generations removed from the farm but still enjoy reading someone else’s perspective on agricultural life. However, it is important to remember that knowing how to drive a tractor is not required to be involved in agriculture. Every person influences agriculture every day. You are all impacting agriculture when you stop to grab your morning donut, eat at your favorite lunch spot or fire up the grill for the family. Being a consumer is one thing we all share.

Previously, I was a member of CommonGround Iowa, a group of women farmers who connect farm folks with others who may have little experience with farm life. This group took me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to post videos about agriculture and share my favorite recipes. I discovered how eager others are to learn from each other, and though I had no expert opinions to share, it is the simple things that seemed to stick. I learned to use a wooden spoon to stop water from boiling over and the best canned green bean technique. Most importantly, I realized how much each of us on and off the farm has in common.

Since my time with CommonGround, I have come across many ways to share my story. Past the usual Instagram pictures and Facebook posts, there are opportunities at the meat counter to help someone trying to understand the difference between Prime and Choice beef. Or perhaps it’s visiting with someone in line at the gas station about the recent price fluctuations in eggs and milk. We advocate on behalf of all farmers to explain why we do things the way we do.

My favorite place to share my story, however, is at home. I love watching my soon-to-be two-year-old moo at cows in the pasture and yell “MEMI” from the backseat every time we meet a semi on the road. He loves chores with his dad, riding in the tractor and farming. He is the one that keeps me grounded and reminds me why we do what we do. He doesn’t worry about the stress of the markets and the weather. Instead, he shows us how to find joy in the simple things on the farm.

Just like every reader, farmers care about the food our families consume. We share a strong bond with consumers because we are consumers too. If there is one thing I want the readers to take away from my few moments on these pages, it is farmers love what we do. We love producing a product that makes you say “wow” when it touches your tongue. A product that makes you feel strong and refreshed after a meal. A product that makes the checkout line at the store a less stressful place.

To wrap up my yearlong stint with Fresh Pickings magazine, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for reading our stories. Thank you for trusting and purchasing the fruits of our work. I hope you have laughed, thought back on a few memories and gained a better perspective on life from a farmer’s eyes. I praise God daily for what he has given us and the Iowa soil that sustains our livelihood.

Knowing how to drive a tractor is not required to be involved in agriculture. Every person influences agriculture every day.