I was born and raised in South-Central Pennsylvania, where farming is prevalent and generations of farmers can be found. At school, I have friends who have never seen a cow in person, let alone up close, and that amazes me. I do not live on a farm; however, I am from a farming family. My father and his siblings grew up on the farm that his brother now owns, and the majority of my cousins either live or work on a farm.
For the most part, farmers and their families look and act like everyone else (although they might have a tad more respect and wear dirty boots). For those who grew up in the farming world, here's is a list of activities that most can relate to.
1. 4-H
If you grew up within the farming community, chances are you participated in either 4-H or FFA, maybe even both. For those who do not know, 4-H is a program based in individual counties, with several different club options depending on the project you wish to complete. Programs start when you are 8 and you can join anytime until you turn 18. My family has done pig club, home-ec, and the Seeing-Eye puppy raising program. Other options include baby beef, equestrian, goat, and so on.
2. FFA (Future Farmers of America)
The FFA begins in high school can can be continued into college. While I was in the FFA, we participated more educational activities than the 4-H, such as judging, identification, attending conventions, and presentations. Those who were in FFA were most likely in 4-H as well, sometimes serving on the executive board of both organizations.
3. Fairs
Country fairs take up a good portion of the summer, especially if your children are showing animals or working in the 4-H stand selling pork burgers and 'kraut.
4. Going to the Farm Show
Held annually for one week in January, the Farm Show draws quite the crowd. If you were in FFA in high school, you most likely got out of school for a day or two to go on a field trip. If not, you probably took a personal day anyway. Did someone say fried cheese and potato donuts?
5. You can drive anything
Growing up on or near a farm, you learn the basics of driving at a very early age. My brother just turned 16 and he can operate ATVs, tractors, construction equipment, and of course, his own Dodge Ram. Have a trailer attached? No problem.
6. Food
If you don't grow your own food, you might get it from your neighbors. At the end of a growing season, you can use the surplus to last through the winter using your grandmother's tried and true methods that she learned from her own grandmother. You also eat things like ponhaus/scrapple, hog maw, chicken corn soup, and pudding.
7. Butcher Day
Sometime during the winter, your extended family comes together for a day of butchering in order to ensure that your meat freezer doesn't get low. I don't like to take part in it, but some might say it's fun for the whole family!
8. We know how to have fun
We aren't like the townspeople in the movie "Footloose"; we know how to have a good time. Demo derbies, tractor pulls, barn parties, and line dancing are just a few of the activities we like to do to unwind.
9. Hunting as an excuse
Where I am from, the school district gives students two extra days of break after Thanksgiving due to the beginning of rifle season.
10. Large families
The holidays are never dull with so many people. Extended family gatherings are spent trying to figure out which child belongs to what cousin and reminiscing over the past.
