The farmers ‘Rock’

Many people who have occasion to call on farms - the postman, the vet, contractor or salesman, will have expressed amazement at the role of the farmer’s wife, her resourcefulness and knowledge of just about everything that goes on around her.

I cannot help but think of my own mother. Even my grandmothers, my aunts and other women who have all been major influences in my life. What do all these women have in common? They are virtually all farmer’s wives and mothers.

By growing up on a dairy farm, I quickly learned how much hard work and dedication it takes to be successful farmers. My parents worked their tails off day in and day out just to be sure enough money was rolling in to keep the farm afloat and provide for me and my two siblings.

I cannot help but think and admire all the work my mother put in - yes, my father did as well - but the subject came up a few months ago on what was then Mother’s Day.

All too often, the role of a woman in the farm’s day to day business gets overlooked. We tend to forget how much work these mothers have to do as a farmer’s wife and keeping the house in order. They work so hard. They put their heart and soul into everything they do and they seriously are the backbones of any farming operation.

These women are usually the ones who always hold the pieces together and the first ones to say: “Everything is going to be all right.”

Just pause for a moment and consider how and why these women farmers need some time in the spotlight. I encourage you to think about those who play some part, however small, in your life. Think about everything she has done for you while you were growing up and/or everything she continues to do for you. Mothers on the farm are truly unique and one-of-a-kind because they truly wear so many hats. From raising the kids, to filling in for dad when needed, to some days spending time doing farm chores and other duties on the farm - truly being the rock.

When I reflect on my childhood, I really cannot see how my mother was able to do so much for my family and our farm. A typical day for her would be to wake up early, help with the milking and other chores, prepare breakfast, get us off to school, come home, clean house, do laundry, help my dad with any other tasks around the farm, pay the bills when the rep called around, get us to any activities/events we needed to get to, do evening chores, fix supper, help us with our homework, and the list goes on and on.

What is amazing about this? My mother never complained about her role. From what I understand, this is a common trait among farmers wives everywhere.

Never feel unappreciated

Think of this awesome tribute written by a 13-year-old daughter as a tribute to her mother:

A farm mother is not your ordinary mother, she is one who works hard from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn.

She is loving, caring and tough as nails; and is even dad’s number one helper hauling hay bales.

If daddy gets sick and cannot do chores, it’s mother whose first one out of the door.

She keeps track of records and make sure everything is right to always ensure the future of our farm is bright.

A farm mother also cooks the most delicious meals, sometimes so good, we have to wonder if it is real?

She works in the garden, cleans the house and helps out with farm chores and of course always makes sure her kids never get bored.

She worries a lot and always makes daddy make her a deal, that he will watch us carefully while he takes us working in the field.

A farm mother also tends to the sick animals we face; she takes care of them with such compassion and grace.

If her children or husband are sick, hurt or not feeling swell, our mother will do whatever she can to make us well.

She hauls us to fairs, shows and maybe even to church and always make sure we are in presentable clothes.

She does the laundry and makes sure we always have everything we need and teaches us to never be disrespectful or show greed.

As we get older, we soon understand that to have an able woman about the place as a mother makes us the luckiest kids in the land.

A farm mother is the most unselfish woman we know; always putting her family and farm first before herself, don’t you know?

She can ease our worries and dry our tears and chase away our deepest fears.

As the days pass by and the years drag on, our mother still continues to remain strong.

Through good times and bad, she always stands firmly right beside dad.

Truth is, we need more mothers like her; because such a mother is a real treasure.

To our mothers, we can never say thanks enough; as we know your lifestyle is extremely tough.

As a farm kid, there is one thing I can boldly say. my farm mother will always brighten my day.

Next time you, dear mother, are feeling a little overwhelmed and distressed; please remember that in the role you play, you truly are blessed.

Thank you such mothers for everything you do for being a great example and supporter, just to name a few.

Thank you for your loving care in everything you’ve done as you have shown me how the game of life is won.

So to all you farmer’s wives and mothers everywhere, please realise that there are truly none others that compare.

As I look to the future, I can clearly see, a mother like you is exactly who I want to be.

Now if you are a farm boy, don’t shy away, because you know you want a country girl as a wife someday.

Truth is, we truly cannot deny, these mothers are the best, and now you have an explanation why.

No rush!

Tesco has announced that it will not stop positively sourcing eggs from caged hens until 2025.

This comes after the retailer conducted a detailed review of its egg sourcing strategy, which included consultation with suppliers, industry experts and other key stakeholders.

At present, some 43 per cent of the 1.4 billion eggs sold by Tesco each year come from caged eggs, also known as enriched colonies.

For the NFU Duncan Priestner tells me: “We understand from various meetings we have had with Tesco that this is a reaction to changing customer demand and farmers are keen to produce food accordingly. We are keen that recent significant investment and UK producers’ continuing dedication to animal welfare are not overlooked.”

Troubleshooter

Samsung Electronics caller: ‘Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?’ Operator: ‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand who you are talking about.’ Caller: ‘On page one, section five, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?’ Operator: ‘I think you mean the telephone point on the wall.’

RAC Motoring Services caller: ‘Does your European breakdown policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?’ Operator: ‘Doesn’t the product name give you a clue?……’

Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while travelling in France ): ‘If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?’

Directory enquiries caller: ‘I’d like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please.’ Operator: ‘I’m sorry, there’s no listing. Is the spelling correct?’ Caller: ‘Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar, but the B fell off.’

Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven. Operator: ‘Woven? Are you sure?’ Caller: ‘Yes. That’s what it says on the label. Woven in Scotland.’