… But you can’t take the farm out of the girl.

 

This is the case for me. I loved growing up on a Central Iowa farm for many reasons, but am especially thankful for the work ethic I witnessed as a child. Farmers are some of the wisest and most versatile business owners that exist.  

 

I was fortunate to learn these key beliefs on the farm that translate well to any business owner.

 

Be passionate

 

One fall day I was riding in the tractor with my grandpa, who was in his late 80s, while my dad was operating the combine in the rows next to us. As I soaked in the experience of having three generations work side by side, I turned to my grandpa and said, “I love farming.”  

 

In the most sincere voice, he replied, “I love it too.”  

 

And it was then that I knew I wanted to be able to say the same thing about my career at the age of 80. As a business owner, you may be able to make a profitable income, but to really feel fulfilled, you must be passionate about your work.

 

Idle hands are your worst enemy

 

Some people think farmers only work in the spring when they plant crops and again in the fall when they harvest. While these are their busiest seasons, my dad worked hard year-round. Whether repairing equipment or putting in new tiling systems, he was always looking for opportunities to improve the farm.  

 

As a business owner, take advantage of slower seasons to make repairs or improvements to your business such as implementing organizational systems, updating your website or furthering your knowledge. There is no replacement for hard work.

 

Versatility is key

 

A successful business owner wears many hats, and a farmer is no exception. They must be a commodity broker, a mechanic, a veterinarian and a technology expert.  

 

Having the knowledge and skill set in all aspects of your business is important to either doing the work yourself or properly managing those you hire. When you own a business, you have to do what it takes to get the job done.

 

Use creativity to solve problems

 

Almost daily, farmers run into new problems and often have few resources available to solve them. Baby calves were often born in a pasture, raising the question, “How can we get the calf and her mother safely to the barn for shelter?” Dad made a contraption that could scoop the calf up, carrying it behind a four-wheeler while the mother cow followed.  

 

This piece of equipment cannot be purchased, but my dad used ingenuity to solve the problem. Business owners face new problems daily that can usually be solved with a little out-of-the-box thinking.

 

The next time you drive by a field of corn or soybeans, pause to remember these similarities and think about how you can apply a farmer’s wealth of knowledge to your own business. 

 

 

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