By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot

 

What is a farmer, really?

That’s a question I’ve been exploring the past 10 years as editor of The Rural Voice.I’ve learned the answer is far broader than the traditional full-time dairymen, herders and cash croppers. It’s not just people who own a farm ... it’s people who engage in the aspect of agriculture.I did a story once on a farm labourer who had worked on a farm without owning land for over 40 years. He didn’t have to worry about farm financials perhaps, but he raised livestock and tilled soil alongside the owner. He was a farmer.
I’ve done stories on women who created profitable community supported agriculture (CSA) gardens. They had tanned arms, soil imbedded under their nails, business acumen and soil smarts. They were farmers.
The men and women who retire after selling their farm to sons or daughters...they attend the meetings to learn and share knowledge, hop in the tractor during planting season and babysit the grandkids. They are still farmers.
How about the ones raising 25 beef beef/dairy calves and selling meat via online sales...farmers? Yep. And the beekeepers, tree nurseries, agri-tour operators, berry producers? All farmers.
Then how about me? When I meet someone new and they inevitably ask what you do (note: a better question is ‘So, what’s on your mind?’. You get such cool answers), I have always said “I’m a farmer and editor of The Rural Voice.”
Part of me, however, felt like a “fake” farmer. I once owned a dairy farm where I milked and fed cows, did the books and made executive decisions. I felt like a legitimate farmer. Now, I own land but I sharecrop it. I keep animals but mostly as a hobby. I hatch chickens and sell eggs, but just to a few friends. I had bees but I harvested honey for person use and as gifts to friends. And I garden extensively, but also only to feed my family and the pollinators.
Am I really a farmer?
I think its an important questions to ask for the next 10 years will bring more farm consolidation but also dreamers and doers who hunger to work even just five acres. BOTH will thrive in a new era of feeding a full world that needs massive amount of food from traditional farmers but also the products from experimenters who learn new techniques to maximize profitability on a smaller footprint.
Because farming is a passion. It’s a belief that working the soil and caring for animals is purposeful and essential in the grand order of things.
 I LOVE soil. Love it. The mystery of all those microrganisms is fascinating while handling it feels like life. Potential. Magic. I may take care of less of it than before, but I still do. In this way, I am a farmer.
The creatures in our care don’t thrive on a careless fork of hay or scoop of grain. They need watching. A trained eye notices the slight limp, the dull coat or eye, the messy feathers, the decrease in egg production, the lack of vigour. The care of animals by keeping a clean environment, harvesting (or purchasing) quality feed and respectful handling is a core value and daily practice. In this way, I am also a farmer.
Financial and business skills also play a role. Farmers are businessmen, balancing income to expenses, making timely investments and always, always keeping a reserve for the misfortune about the happen. I waited years to afford a new fencing system to be able to rotationally graze my three horses to improve their diet and the pasture. It was an investment in the animals and the property. In this way, I am also a farmer.
Have I convinced you? Have I convinced myself? For next month, I will no longer be an editor and I will need to redefine who I am and what I do. It will be a process and one I am excited about but also wary of, because our culture rewards those who have a title and looks down on those who do not.
I don’t want to lose the title of farmer. I am PROUD of it. Proud to have met, interviewed and written stories about so many of my fellow farmers during this ten-year tensure.
It has been my pleasure, truly, to meet you all and share your stories. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity and I say goodby on a high of connection with so many amazing farmers.
What makes it easier is that I’m passing this role onto Melisa Luymes, who is also a farmer! She’s also an agriculture advocate, a committee leader, an exceptional learner and this girl has a VOICE! I can’t think of a better person to take my place.
Please welcome Melisa as you welcomed me and share your stories with her ... because we are farmers with an incredible breadth of knowledge about soil, animals, production, accounting, climate chane, crops, adaptation, technology, family, life balance, mental health and community.
And The Rural Voice has been sharing these stories for almost 50 years. 
Rock on RV...I will miss you. ◊