Learning to Do, Doing to Learn

Yes, those lines of the FFA motto do come in handy, and they very accurately describe this past week! I had the chance spend the week at home with my family and my best friend, who just happens to be a farmer in north-central Ohio. Given my non-farm background, I always find it an interesting experience when I help him out with farm work, though I use the term "help" relatively lightly. Luckily, my friend has a way of letting me mess up (without scolding me for it) and then helps me figure it out on my own. While I normally want the answers up front and careful instructions, he refuses to give in to my pleading and makes me try it before he'll answer my questions.

Between unloading hay wagons, moving equipment and running parts to whichever field the problem creeped up in; I had the chance to learn. And not just in the "sure, I suppose I learned something" kind of way. No, this was learning through experience. Or rather, learning by screwing it up a few times and then finally getting it (sort of) right. My favorite kind of learning.

I learned....
That wearing gloves while unloading hay is usually a good idea.
That practicing welding for an hour will lead to getting flash burn on your arms, and it hurts.
That I need to wear ear plugs when groundhog hunting or I'll be partially deaf the rest of the day.
That when remodeling an old farmhouse, it's best to get over your fear of spiders. Very quickly.
That driving a big standard truck is really not that bad, unless someone else wants to drive on the same road.
That knowing the current prices of corn, soybeans and fat cattle are essential to carrying on a good conversation with local farmers.

And most of all, every time I'm out on the farm I learn just how much I love and appreciate production agriculture and the industry that clothes, shelters and feeds our world.

God Bless,

Hannah