• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My Farmhouse Table

Where Life is Shared and Memories are Made

  • Home
  • Farmhouse Recipes
    • Main Course
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Chicken
      • Fish/Seafood
      • Pasta/Pizza
      • Soup
    • Side Dishes
      • Potatoes
      • Salad
      • Vegetable
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Ice Cream
    • Appetizer
    • Bread
    • Drinks
    • Holiday Food
    • Farmhouse Shortcuts
      • Double Dinners
      • Quick Fix
      • Three Ingredients
      • Slow Cooker and Instant Pot
      • One Pan Meals
  • Farmhouse Life
    • Agriculture
      • Cows
      • Gardening
    • Faith
    • Family/Friends
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Crafts
    • Travel
      • Canada
  • About
  • Connect

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith

March 20, 2018 by My Farmhouse Table Leave a Comment

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith

Happy National Ag Day! Even though on the farm every day is Ag Day, I do love seeing the outpouring of support shown to all sectors of agriculture one day a year. And there are so many things to love: a favorite cotton t-shirt, an apple a day, your family’s live Christmas tree, and a perfectly grilled steak are all some of my favorite ag products. And bacon. Can’t forget bacon. But as much as I love being involved in farming and ranching there are just days When Agriculture Tests Your Faith.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith: Mother Nature

No matter how much farmers and ranchers try to make ends meet, so many things are out of their control.

I’ve seen planting seasons where it seems like the rain may never stop long enough to get seed in the ground.

Just for mother nature to turn around and shut off the water spout for days, weeks, and months. Shriveling crops, drying livestock ponds, and increasing risks of wildfires.

Blizzards and cold weather that push livestock and their care givers to extremes.

And bumper crops decimated by a late season hail storm.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith: Long Hours

I don’t know a farmer or rancher around who doesn’t push themselves to exhaustion working long and irregular hours. Agriculture is not a profession that works a regular 8-5, five days a week.

Paul Harvey said it best in his poem “So God Made a Farmer”:

And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain’n from ‘tractor back,’ put in another seventy-two hours.” So God made a farmer.

Farmers and ranchers are up before the sun milking cows, skipping meals around the dinner table with their families, “running” well past midnight hauling in grain at harvest time, and waking every two hours to go night check the heifers during calving season.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith: Money Matters

Like any business, increasing income and decreasing expenses are what keep things afloat.

But for the most part, ag producers have no way of setting prices for their products. They are at the mercy of the commodity markets.

Late nights sitting at the kitchen table shuffling through piles of bills, seeing how far the check from the last load of corn you took to town can stretch over the feed bill and monthly health insurance cost. Praying that the old combine can hold together through another harvest with no major repairs needed and your son’s baseball cleats can last another season.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith: The Circle of Life

Agriculture has taught me many valuable lessons throughout my years on the farm.

The importance of wearing jeans when baling hay (no matter how hot it is).

“The birds and the bees” (life on the farm man).

The importance of a neighborhood watch (aka the dreaded phone call “Hey! Did y’all know you have cows out?”)

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

And one of it’s hardest lessons, The Circle of Life.

No matter how much blood, sweat, and tears farmers and ranchers put into caring for their livestock, at some point loosing an animal happens: a fox gets into the hen house, the favorite farm cat mysteriously vanishes, or a hard pulled calf only survives a few minutes.

And another quote from Mr. Paul Harvey:

God said, “I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, ‘Maybe next year.'” 

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith: “For Everything There Is A Season”

But just like in school, at some point the test is over.

After a drought, rains come and wash the world anew.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

Even if family, friends, and neighbors aren’t able to lend money of their own because they too are in a financial pinch. Those involved in agriculture are always there to lend a helping hand in any way they can. Sometimes it’s offering to bring extra food and good cow horses to a neighbor’s branding. Sometimes it is helping harvest a farmer’s final crop for his elderly widow. And sometimes its just being a person to talk to over a beer or two on the tailgate of a pickup.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

Life comes from death. Where fires have burned, greener more vibrant grass takes its place.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

And long hours spent either on horseback or on the seat of a tractor, can be capped off with some stellar sunsets.

When Agriculture Tests Your Faith National Ag Day National Agriculture Week Faith Family Farming My Farmhouse Table

He will give rain for the seed

that you sow in the ground,

And the wheat that the soil produces

will be rich and abundant.

On that day your cattle will graze

in spacious meadows.

~Isaiah 30:23

Related Posts:

  • 25 Days of Christmas Activities
    25 Days of Christmas Activities
  • Perfectly Grilled Steak
    Perfectly Grilled Steak
  • Valentine's Day: 14 Things I Love
    Valentine's Day: 14 Things I Love

Filed Under: Agriculture, Cows, Faith, Farmhouse Life Tagged With: Agriculture, Faith, Farmhouse Life

Previous Post: « Why I Didn’t Give Up Anything For Lent
Next Post: Sweet Chili Sauteed Green Beans »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

About My Farmhouse Table

Hi! I'm Chanda of My Farmhouse Table. Raised in the Midwest on my family's grain and cattle farm.
I am a lover of homecooked meals, sunsets, agriculture, traveling, and laughter. My days are based around faith, family, farming, and food. Read More…

Follow Along


myfarmhousetable

I'm Chanda of My Farmhouse Table. Raised in the Midwest on my family's grain & cattle farm. My days are based around faith, family, farming, & food.

My Farmhouse Table
I don’t remember the time or place that I first I don’t remember the time or place that I first experienced the magic of tomato cream pasta sauce, all I remember is the sudden feeling of pure bliss. 

The unbeatable combination of tangy tomatoes paired with a rich and creamy sauce makes this one of my top “go-to” recipes.

Link in profile.
He is Risen! Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Happy Easter!
Does any meal scream the holidays like a baked ham Does any meal scream the holidays like a baked ham? I don’t think so. 

This main dish has been the star of many family Easter and Christmas dinners. Anyone can heat up a smoked ham right? Well you are correct. 

But why not make holidays a little extra special this year and make my Beer & Honey Glazed Ham Recipe. Link in profile!
Say hello to the new guy on the farm... Whiskey! 🥃

He’s got a big butt and likes giving kisses 😘
Easter is next week, so I thought is would be the Easter is next week, so I thought is would be the perfect time to share one of my family’s favorite potluck side dishes, Oreo Fluff “Salad”

Just be warned if you make it to share.... be sure to save a helping for yourself first! Link in profile.
Happy National Ag Day friends! 🌱❤️🐄 Happy National Ag Day friends!

🌱❤️🐄
A 5-ingredient marinade and less then 10 minutes i A 5-ingredient marinade and less then 10 minutes in the oven has this quick, easy, and (by my standards 🤪) healthy meal on the table in no time at all!

Serve with noodles or rice with a side of stir fry vegs! Link in profile.
Anyone else love the green milkshakes that McDonal Anyone else love the green milkshakes that McDonald’s serves in the month of March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? 🙋🏻‍♀️🍀

Well if you are looking for a way to amp up the flavor (and the festivities) make this adult version of a Boozy Bailey’s Shamrock Shake next week to celebrate St. Patty’s Day. You won’t be disappointed. Link in profile.
It has finally felt like spring this week 🙌🏻 It has finally felt like spring this week 🙌🏻 and because of that I’m turning to thoughts of my summer flower and veggie garden. 

With the pandemic this past year, I was more thankful then ever that I’ve been starting my plants from seed as all the local nurseries and greenhouses were sold out pronto. Plus, it lets me try out new varieties that aren’t as popular in my neck of the woods.

Starting seeds can be so fun, but I’ve made plenty of mistakes in the past, that with the blog post today I’m hoping to help you from making my same blunders. 

Check out my How-To for seed starting and troubleshooting! Link in profile.
I love shrimp! And I love fried rice! Put the two I love shrimp! And I love fried rice!

Put the two together and I’m in utter bliss!

Plus this meal take only 10-15 minutes to get from stove to table. Can’t beat that!

Link in profile!
Phoenix I miss you. Your sunshine. Your green gras Phoenix I miss you. Your sunshine. Your green grass. But most of all your heat 🥶
Sunday is Valentine’s Day! Just thought I would Sunday is Valentine’s Day! Just thought I would lead with a public service announcement. I don’t have a “sweetie” to give a gift to, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy sharing cards, flowers, or most importantly chocolate with loved ones and friends. 

That’s why these simple and easy Valentine’s Day Homemade Chocolate Truffles are perfect to mix up and gift to all your favorite people. Link in profile.
In December, when my best friend, Bree and I took In December, when my best friend, Bree and I took a road trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, I shared a ton of pictures on Facebook and Instagram. The biggest question I received on social media, was how did you get your reservations at The PW Boarding House, Ree’s 8 room boutique hotel in town?

Well I’m sharing all the juicy details on the blog today, so head on over there and check it out! Link in profile!
The final installment in my “Double Dinners” t The final installment in my “Double Dinners” theme for January are these Make-Ahead Freezer Pancakes!

Ridiculously fluffy and delicious these pancakes are the perfect addition to your freezer cooking rotation. 

Great to use for a quick and easy breakfast! Link in profile.
Anyone else out there itching to get started on yo Anyone else out there itching to get started on your garden? 🙋🏻‍♀️

I’ve spent hours this past month pouring through @floretflower book, taking notes, planning, and ordering seeds.

I’ve been anxious to get started... so God yesterday sent a snow storm and I was reminded “To everything there is a season...” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ❄️🌱
Load More... Follow on Instagram


Popular Posts

  • Easy Nebraska's Homemade Runza Recipe Bierocks Best Original Runza Cheese Runza With Frozen Bread Dough My Farmhouse Table Nebraska’s Homemade Runza
  • Easy Cheesy Zucchini Casserole The Best Zucchini Recipe Baked Side Dish with Fresh or Frozen Garden Zucchini My Farmhouse Table Easy Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
  • Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad Easy Vinegar and Mayo Cucumber Salad Recipe My Farmhouse Table Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad
  • Better Than Takeout Sesame Chicken Easy Crispy Crunchy Chicken Recipe Chinese Stir Fry PF Changs Sesame Chicken Orange Chicken Recipe Teriyaki Chicken Recipe My Farmhouse Table Better Than Takeout Sesame Chicken
  • The Best Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe Perfect Simple Easy Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese Garlic Butter Vegetable Side Dish Recipe Party Appetizers Appetizers for a Party Best Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tuna Melt Sandwich Grilled Cheese Sandwich Easy Recipe My Farmhouse Table Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Classic 7 Layer Salad Recipe
  • Dr Pepper Baked Beans Easy Baked Bean Recipe Baked Beans with Bacon Homemade Baked Beans Grilling Side Dishes Potluck Side Dish My Farmhouse Table Dr Pepper Baked Beans
  • Grandma's German Spaetzle Recipe My Farmhouse Table Side Dish Noodle Grandma’s German Spaetzle
  • The Best Stir Fry Sauce Teriyaki Sauce Easy Homemade Sauce Chinese Sauce Brown Garlic Sauce Khan's Favorite Sauce Hu Hot Mongolian Grill My Farmhouse Table The Best Stir Fry Sauce

Footer


Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework