By Macie Clugston

School is out. And summer is in!

But on the farm, summer activities look a bit different. Early mornings. Late nights. And long, hot hours in between. Summer is a busy season in agriculture.

The to-do list is never-ending on a farm. In the wise words of farmers everywhere, “the work doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.”

Farm and ranch kids, regardless of age, are there for it all.

Their farm chores grow with age. There are small tasks for the little kids. Big chores for the older kids, and even bigger assignments for the kids returning home from college for the summer.

Young kids can sweep the barn, gather eggs and help feed cattle. Older kids drive the tractor and help with harvest.

Summer farm work is truly work, and it teaches all ages life skills like responsibility, time management, being efficient and so much more.

Working on a farm also teaches kids these six lessons:

  • Do your best.
  • Show respect.
  • Take initiative.
  • Work independently or as a team.
  • Be flexible.
  • Be a good neighbor.

Those life lessons learned from taking an active role in the farm will help kids as they finish school and pursue a career.

They might even find some use for all the math and science they learned the past year in the classroom! It’ll help keep their mind tuned for the next school year—without even knowing it!

Plus, being outdoors is good for the body. A little sweat, a few tears and a newfound appreciation for grit can help mold our future leaders.

And if you have a teen who’s willing to work and learn a thing or two, find a local farmer who could use a few extra hands. Everyone will benefit.

 

Macie Clugston is a senior at Texas A&M University where she is studying agricultural communications. She is the Texas Farm Bureau Communications intern this year.