Fireman and Farmer: Working Twice as Hard

FIREMAN AND FARMER: WORKING TWICE AS HARD

Story and photos by Andrea Haines

Obtaining multiple job positions isn’t too far-fetched for many people in the agricultural industry. Farmers tend to inherit a “giving” or “caretaking” work ethic from family passed down by generations. Caretakers of the land and animals, it is only natural for many producers to align with other services that tend to be in the best interest of their communities.

Jonathan Ruff of Bel Air, Maryland, is no exception to this livelihood. Working as a grain and cattle farmer, he is also a paid fireman. Officially holding a position as Lieutenant with the Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department, he leads a crew of firefighters during day-to-day operations, as well as during emergencies as an EMT and HAZMAT technician. “I have been a firefighter for 18 years,” he shares. “I’ve also been a member of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company since 1985.”

The job of a first responder is often demanding with little to no warning when members are needed. “It can be hard to keep up sometimes with day-today operations,” says Jonathan. “I work a 48-hour schedule. I’m gone for 48 hours and then off for 48 hours. Trying to get hay done during your ‘time off’ can be challenging. I use most of my vacation days from work during the spring and fall, especially during harvest season.”

Jonathan is a ninth-generation farmer at Ruffs Chance Farm, the son of James “Jimmy” Henry Ruff. The farm has been in the Ruff family since 1684. “I’ve been farming my entire life,” he adds. “I began raking hay when I was just seven years old.” Jonathan grows corn and soybeans on his 200 acre property. He also does custom combining for farmers in the area, and raises a few Black Angus cattle.

“I love farming, and if you do what you love, it’s not work. I took the firefighting position because I like to help people and it is rewarding, but it also gave me time to farm.”

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t really affected the workings of the farm too much. Jonathan has a son and daughter who both work off the farm, but he has additional help if needed. “The pandemic has affected my job mainly in the staffing area. We have been separated, and to maintain our required staffing, you never know if you get to come home after your shift,” Jonathan explains. “Luckily, I work with a lot of guys that will take my overage because they know I have the farm to take care of each day. My girlfriend, Thelma, is a great help feeding and checking on things when I’m at work, too.” He also has a retired firefighter help him run the combine during harvest season.

Speaking of people on Jonathan’s team, Farm Credit loan officer Sherry Gentry has been a great asset to Jonathan during much of his farming career. “They really came through for me on more than one occasion,” he shares. “When I purchased my first house, it was a short-notice sale. I got financing through Farm Credit, they were very helpful!” After a life change, Jonathan also called on Farm Credit to help devote a plan to keep the farm going. “I came up with a plan and explained my goals to my loan officer,” he says. “They showed me what they could do for me. Farm Credit understands farming and the dedication that farmers have, and what it takes to make it work, and are willing to work with you to make things happen.”

“Farm Credit has been involved with Jonathan and the farm since 1990,” shares Sherry. “I have been his loan officer for probably the past 15 to 20 years. The Ruff Farm was an original land grant that the family has been farming for several generations.” According to Sherry, the Ruff family is highly regarded in Harford County. “Jonathan is a very hard worker, putting in several hours a day at both his firefighter job and into farming,” she explains. “We have had a good working relationship for several years, and he knows that if he’s ever in need of financing, he can always contact us and we will help him complete the process.”

“We live in a changing time and we have to change with it,” shares Jonathan. “I love farming, and if you do what you love, it’s not work. As far as the firefighting position, I took the job because I like to help people and it is rewarding, but it also gave me time to farm.”

Rewards come in many different ideals to people, and to Jonathan, he hopes to expand his custom farming operation after retirement from the fire service.