WHY FARM?
NEW LIFE
We experience the seasons, seasons of spring planting and fall harvest. We plant the seed, the grass and the corn grow, the seedlings pushing their way up through the soil. The rain comes (we get lots of it!), the sun shines and we watch God's creation doing what it's created to do. We don't always appreciate the timing but we work with what He has given us, knowing that He always provides.
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We watch God's creation doing what it's created to do.
"He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate--
bringing forth food from the earth"
Psalm 104:14 NIV
bringing forth food from the earth"
Psalm 104:14 NIV
FAMILY
Another reason? Family. Farming allows for time spent together. Even though farming requires long hours, we are often able to have family meals together, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Growing up, our children spent many hours with their Dad, playing, exploring and now working alongside him.
Our children learned about life. They learned how to work and eventually to work without complaint. They learned how to puzzle their way through a problem and find a solution. They learned respect for others and care for the animals and land. Our children had land to explore, a pond to swim in, a creek to follow, forts to build, yet chores to do. They earned an "income" from their "jobs" and how to manage their money. None of us do these things perfectly but we've had the opportunity and the experience to learn them all.
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We experience these benefits all while making a living. Thanks to diversity (we also make cheese) and careful management, we are able to provide for not only our family but multiple other families as well. It's not always easy. Many dairy farmers require a second job to supplement their income, yet they still carry on. Why? Why do we farm?
"Simple, because we love it!"
The Ethics of Farming
Everyone has their own set of ethics, their own values, and their own morals. They are based on what a person feels or knows to be true. In the past, farming of any sort was always considered an honorable profession. Farmers were the salt of the earth. They were known to be hard working, honest, and dependable. They were the backbone of the country. While this opinion of farmers is still generally accepted, for some, that perspective is changing. This causes us to take a closer look at the ethics of farming, specifically dairy farming.
Do we have the right to use animals for our own purpose? Is it selfish to do so? Is it o.k. to financially profit from animals? Are they equal to humans? Do they have the same rights? All questions to ask ourselves, especially as dairy farmers.
Our family's belief system is based on the Bible, the Word of God. It is what we know to be true. As the basis of our ethics, values, and morals, it was only natural and logical for the Bible to be the first place to search for answers. Here is what we found.
The first basic question, are animals and humans equal? This answer is foundational to what a person believes in regards to animal agriculture. For that, we go back to the beginning, the very beginning when God created all things. After He created the earth and all that was in it, including the animals of the air, sea and land, "God created mankind in His own image..." Genesis 1:27 He did not create animals in His own image, only humans. He actually breathed life into mankind! This is the biggest difference between animals and humans! Because of this, we are capable of thoughts, actions, and emotions that animals are not. Consider these: analytical thought, written language, conceptual thought, preserving and recording history, art, and morality.
How should we treat animals, is it o.k. to kill them? For our own use? Again, we go to the Bible.
In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we learn God made man to "rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” He also told us to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:26 & 28
What about killing animals?
In Genesis 9:3, God gave us animals as food. "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." God provides for us. In His provision, He gave us plants and animals for food, He even provided clothing. God made clothes for Adam and Eve using animal skin. "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21
With all of these provisions come responsibility. "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 2:15 We are responsible and answerable to God for the care of all He has given us, including the animals and the land. This means that we will nurture our land which provides us feed for our cows. We will care for our animals that give us milk, and are blessed to do this while providing for our families, and providing wholesome, nutritious food for everyone.
Do we have the right to use animals for our own purpose? Is it selfish to do so? Is it o.k. to financially profit from animals? Are they equal to humans? Do they have the same rights? All questions to ask ourselves, especially as dairy farmers.
Our family's belief system is based on the Bible, the Word of God. It is what we know to be true. As the basis of our ethics, values, and morals, it was only natural and logical for the Bible to be the first place to search for answers. Here is what we found.
The first basic question, are animals and humans equal? This answer is foundational to what a person believes in regards to animal agriculture. For that, we go back to the beginning, the very beginning when God created all things. After He created the earth and all that was in it, including the animals of the air, sea and land, "God created mankind in His own image..." Genesis 1:27 He did not create animals in His own image, only humans. He actually breathed life into mankind! This is the biggest difference between animals and humans! Because of this, we are capable of thoughts, actions, and emotions that animals are not. Consider these: analytical thought, written language, conceptual thought, preserving and recording history, art, and morality.
How should we treat animals, is it o.k. to kill them? For our own use? Again, we go to the Bible.
In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we learn God made man to "rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” He also told us to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:26 & 28
What about killing animals?
In Genesis 9:3, God gave us animals as food. "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." God provides for us. In His provision, He gave us plants and animals for food, He even provided clothing. God made clothes for Adam and Eve using animal skin. "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21
With all of these provisions come responsibility. "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 2:15 We are responsible and answerable to God for the care of all He has given us, including the animals and the land. This means that we will nurture our land which provides us feed for our cows. We will care for our animals that give us milk, and are blessed to do this while providing for our families, and providing wholesome, nutritious food for everyone.