Sprouting Life

Sprouting Life

The many parallels between agriculture and parenting

By Erica Lain

Growing up, my brothers and I always got to pick our birthday dinner. It was more of a highlight of our special day than the presents were, and I had a go-to meal. My menu was always a home-raised Sutton Farms ribeye steak, mac and cheese, cottage cheese and a big glass of milk. As you can tell, my beef-raising family is not prejudiced toward other types of cows; we enjoy supporting our neighboring dairy industry.

My husband Kenton and I now have a 14-month-old son, Jensen, who is running circles in our house. We have fully adapted to parent life and don’t stress the small things nearly as much. However, making sure we have the proper diet for Jensen, including essential nutrients, is something I think more about than ever before. As a mom, I pay more attention to what’s in my food. The ribeye birthday meal that I loved growing up – because it tasted so good – is still a great choice for my family. Beef contains many healthy ingredients, including calcium, fat, folate, iron, protein, carbohydrates and zinc. It is a wonderful food for toddlers, children and adults.

Many different ingredients go into a healthy toddler’s diet, and luckily, Iowa’s farmers provide what our little ones need. From locally raised meats and produce to other nutritious proteins, we’re all lucky to live close to flavorful and responsibly raised food.

Connections Between Children’s Needs and Agriculture

Beyond the idea of our children having needs and Iowa agriculture meeting them, I believe there is a much deeper connection between the two. When I think about it, there are many literal and metaphorical parallels.

One of the most important steps in raising corn or soybeans is proper timing and placement of seed. Frequently, I have watched my brothers and husband step behind the planter and measure to the nearest one-tenth of an inch to ensure proper placement of corn seeds. All seeds are placed in the right spot and at the right time. It is no different for a baby. They are sewn into their mother’s womb at just the right place and time. Then with plenty of love and sunlight, they fill our lives with a bountiful harvest of joy.

Before harvest can happen, plants must grow. To grow, plants need a good foundation. The soil must provide the nutrients required for a healthy plant to thrive. Farmers and others involved in agriculture devote their lives to the science of sustainably and adequately building fertile soil. Parents must have the same devotion to providing strong foundations for our children – an environment that allows them to learn and grow into the best version of themselves.

Flourishing Through Challenges

One of the most stressful times of the year is when plants emerge from the soil. So much of their future potential is determined in those early days. It never fails; Kenton worries when newly sprouted corn plants hit an “ugly stage.” When a corn plant switches from drawing nutrients from the seed itself to drawing nutrients up through its roots, it typically shows stress above ground. We call this the ugly corn stage. Nothing is wrong with the plant other than it is changing and developing.

The same goes for our children. I remember those stressful nights when Jensen was going through a growth spurt or sleep regression. We must not forget that’s when they learn, grow and develop. And when they do, they go through growing pains. Although times may seem ugly, just like the corn plant, our children continue developing into their beautiful, full potential.

Having grown up on a farm and now farming in a different part of Iowa with my husband, I can see how differently my brothers and Kenton and his family do things. To grow a bountiful crop, they might choose to use different seeds. One may drive a green tractor, and the other drives a red one (think John Deere green or Case IH red). But when it comes down to it, neither is doing it wrong. The fact is, both are doing so many things right and exceeding their goals. Parenting is the same. No two parents are alike, and all parents determine what works best for their family.

I am so thankful to live in Iowa and be a part of the agriculture industry. I am grateful for the things it provides and the lessons it continues to teach me about agriculture and life. As we welcome a new year, let us reflect on the joys this wonderful life brings us.

Farmers devote their lives to the science of sustainably building fertile soil. Parents have the same devotion to providing strong foundations for our children – an environment that allows them to learn and grow into the best version of themselves.