My grandpa was a lifelong farmer, working in the dairy barn into his late 80s. Eventually, he cut back his hours pushing the barn scraper and spent more time with a hoe in hand. My grandparents always had a big garden, but in his “retirement,” my grandpa expanded his footprint. When the original garden site wasn’t big enough to fit his production plans, he added another plot.
One of his favorite vegetables to grow was potatoes. One year, his garden boasted more than 400 potato plants! Each year as fall approached, he’d go from plant to plant, digging up those simple treasures. Family members, neighbors, church friends, and visitors to the farm often came for a chat and left with a sack of potatoes. Earning the “biggest potato” award a few times at the Sheboygan County Fair was a proud accomplishment of his.
Inch by inch, and row by row, my grandpa spent hours tending to the garden. That steadfast care he gave to animals and crops over the years took on a new purpose as he prepared for harvest each summer and into the fall.
So much of what we do in terms of nutrient management is a long-term commitment with results that don’t happen overnight. A few articles in this issue focus on delivering nutrients to fields for the best utilization and improving overall soil health. Actions taken today won’t show results until much later. Maybe it’s at harvest, but perhaps it shows up as improved crop production years from now. Much of what we are doing to care for the land today is an investment — and a hope — that the soil will continue to provide for generations to come.
Unfortunately, factors out of our control can wipe out some of that incremental progress. An unexpected pest can damage a crop — even if we do everything right. Extreme weather conditions can derail years of soil health improvements. But when faced with a setback, we can quit, or we can push forward. As farmers, I know that’s what you do. Inch by inch, step by step, you continue to move forward.
I have a few long-standing items on my to-do list that involve house projects, correspondence catch up, and self-improvement adjustments. Sometimes the list of things I want to get done feels overwhelming, and when overwhelmed, it is easy to not want to tackle anything.
But we can take a hint from the land here. Success is not always measured in big accomplishments or fully completed tasks. Most often, progress is made in small but purposeful increments. If there are times you don’t feel like you are at the stage you want to be with your farm, your career, or your life, don’t be discouraged. Life is full of progress and setbacks. Maybe you won’t get where you want to be as fast as you hoped, or maybe not at all. But if you keep taking small steps, you will find ways to make positive progress. A few small steps are better than no steps at all.
My grandpa did not work in his garden for accolades or recognition. Other than those few county fair ribbons, his work was done quietly, and without fanfare. The garden provided food for him and those he shared it with, and it gave him daily purpose. Inch by inch, and row by row, like the farmer he was, he worked tirelessly toward the next harvest. When we find purpose in the work we do, no matter how big or small it may seem, we are always moving forward.
Until next time,
