Farmers Rock

Today I took my class on one of the most interesting field trips I have ever been on. And that is saying something. I have been teaching in daycares, public schools, and private schools since 1995. That's 14 years of field trips.

We attended the Triumph of Agriculture Expo today in downtown Omaha. It was a HUGE show of farm equipment, tractors, seeds, and everything farm related. That alone was amazing and so wonderful for my "city kids" to see. I was so very touched though by the MANY MANY farmers who were there who stopped to talk to my kids. They were so friendly, all took time to speak with the kids, and teach them about the equipment and farming. Every blessed one shook my hand and thanked me for exposing them to the profession of farming, to showing them how important agriculture is, and for encouraging them to work with the land. It was a blessing for the students and I to meet them, talk to them, and tell them we appreciate what they do and the sacrifices they make.

My group was lucky enough to be paired with Matt and Dylan, two 16 year old Future Farmers of America members, as our tour guides. These two young men patiently explained every bit of farm equipment we saw to my kids. They kneeled down on the floor with them, pointed out the underbellies of augers and what each part was for, answered all of their 6 year old questions with good humor, and shared what it was like to grow up on a farm. We came away with a new understanding of how incredibly expensive it is to be a farmer, that it is truly a science/business all rolled into one, and that it is a lot more complicated than we thought.

And a side benefit for me? (Don't tell my kiddos!) FARMERS ARE SO ADORABLE!!! I don't know what it is about a man in work boots, faded jeans, and a baseball cap, but good gravy they are kind on the eyes. Put all that next to a tractor, and I have trouble not fainting. Reminded me of that country song where the lyrics say something about "she thinks my tractor's sexy!" Totally true. Those farmer's wives are pretty lucky ladies!