2. Community service. Farm kids start early learning the importance of service. At just 8 years old, they learn the 4-H Pledge that includes the line–“I pledge my hands to larger service.” They take part in picking up trash or participating in a can food drive for the local food shelter. Then they continue their service in the FFA where farm kids gain experience serving as leaders in their chapter, schools and communities. I believe farm kids will continue to serve in college and their own communities as adults because ag youth organizations made it part of their lifestyle. Look into the 4H programs in St David and Benson Arizona 3. Communication skills. Farm kids learned the “elevator speech” long before their classmates. Once again, youth organizations like 4-H and FFA teach them to introduce themselves properly. And farm kids seem to be able to talk to just about anyone. They grew up visiting with young kids at FFA barnyards and adults at Farm Bureau meetings. Meeting and talking to people, otherwise known as networking, in college is one of the biggest ways to become successful and this is no problem for farm kids across the country. 4. Professional development. Being raised on a farm teaches kids how to take criticism. It is not easy to listen to a judge explain where you went wrong in raising an animal. However, when faced with critiques farm kids do not sass, argue or yell. Instead, they stand with their animal in front of a crowd and acknowledge a judge’s perspective. Why? Because showing livestock taught them criticism is the only way to get better. It is a lesson they will carry into college and future jobs. 5. Family values. Farm kids are taught that family comes above all else. Whether it is gathering at the homestead for holidays or birthdays, kids raised on a farm understand it is important to show up for family events. But more importantly, farm kids are taught to help other families. From the time they watched their dad combine corn for a farmer who fell ill to loading up a meal with their mom to deliver to an elderly neighbor, farm kids understand family is the cornerstone to their existence. Family is the foundation they will build on for future generations of farm kids. Congratulations to all of our farm kids graduating this year. Rural kids take what you have learned growing up on the farm or ranch and make a difference in not only their life, but in the lives of others.
St David Springs
Lifestyle Farm Blocks
Page 38
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