Pintrest Farmers Suck

From the desk of Tarma Shena

I find I am sad to be a farmer today.

Except it’s not just today, really, it’s most days.

It isn’t the animals or the ups and downs that sometimes comes with being a farmer.

It isn’t the hard work, knowing that winter will soon be upon us, or the list of tasks that still need to be completed.

It’s the people.

People make me sad, frustrated, and angry.

But the disappointment, that comes from my fellow farmers.

Where is our cheering section? It’s gone.

Gone the way of so many things, and No, I don’t think life was better or simpler or easier “back then”. Which wasn’t that long ago by the way, for those of you picturing grainy black and white photos or bobby socks. You might want to think about square body pickups and cassette tapes.

We were still looked down upon by urban america but not each other. Farmers stuck together. Not anymore.

We’ve given up neighbors and communities for clicks and likes. Traded support for mock outrage and never outgrown our middle school insecurity that makes us tear down our peers in the hopes of popularity.

Keyboard warriors and influencers are dramatic and drama is what humans crave. Drama and conflict in an environment where you can’t get punched in the face. It’s the perfect breeding ground for a society of cowards.

No repercussions and no responsibility.

Am I immune?

I am not.

But I see it and I can make the promise to do better.

To be better.

I don’t care if your chickens drink water out of an old frying pan.

They have water.

I don’t care If your barn is made of recycled materials.

They have shelter.

I don’t care if your fence is a hodgepodge of FB marketplace deals.

They are safe.

Nowhere does it say that in order to properly provide for your animals it must all be new.

Nowhere does it say it must match.

Nowhere does it say it must be expensive.

And NOWHERE, absolutely NOWHERE does it say you must have the internet's approval.

Need a cheering section? We’re right here.

Try it, and if it doesn’t work out, try something else.

Who cares, just get out there and try.

The Joneses aren’t going to be happy with you anyway, they aren’t even happy with themselves.