John's Backstory - Part Four: Finding Balance

Now ten years into my farming career, I have finally hit my stride. I have learned how to achieve balance in my work and personal life. I have a clearly-defined guiding belief, I know what I’m good at (and what I’m not), and I am living the kind of intentional life I always envisioned for myself. I have fully realized all of the reasons that made me want to go into farming in the first place – I am in control of my own destiny, I am part of a local food supply chain and a vibrant community, and I am able to spend time with my family every day. 

Throughout this farming venture, I have come to really enjoy the process, instead of focusing only on the results. I have learned to revel in the journey itself. It’s not just about the sale of that fully-grown 4-pound chicken, it’s about enjoying everything that went into raising it, from start to finish. I wake up each morning knowing the day could be my last, and that thought allows me to go about my daily tasks in a way that is more fulfilling than if I had only a results-driven mindset.

One surprise has been how rewarding it is to document my journey on YouTube, sharing the lessons I have learned along the way. People often come to the farm because they have seen my videos. Recently, a young guy from my YouTube audience stopped by the farm for a visit during his vacation. We started talking about farming, and he shared his desire to change to an agro-centered life. He said to me, “I’m just not sure where to get started.”

My answer to his conundrum was this simple question: “What is the life you want to live?” Making the switch to an agro-centered lifestyle will require making concessions, and constant restructuring to maintain some balance in your life. Those concessions will be worth it, but keep in mind that whenever you say “yes” to something, it inevitably means you’re also saying “no” to something else. Are you saying yes to adding cows to your operation at the expense of taking that long-anticipated family vacation? Don’t sacrifice relationships for the sake of success. No one ever went to a funeral and said, “Man that guy could work.”

Kent Falls Brewing Co. & Farm

Maintaining balance also means: if your farm were gone tomorrow, what would you have left? How you want to be able to answer that question will also inform your decisions. My answer? I would still have my family—my wife and two daughters, my parents, aunts and uncles, and close friends who have supported me along the way. While living out my own ideals, beliefs, and principals, I have built and sustained a community of family and friends who bring meaning to this whole farming enterprise. 

Start Your Own Farm - From The Ground Up

To help my farm visitor, and you the reader, I have created a dynamic and media-rich reference library to help you start your own farm – from the ground up. Each episode will teach you a lesson, as well as giving you plenty of resources to help you along your journey. It may just be the most elaborate “choose-your-own-ending book” ever created.

New Episodes release weekly in 2021. The best way to stay informed about new content is to subscribe to my email list. 

Thank you for taking the time to read some of my backstory. I find it uncomfortable to write or talk about myself, even after all these years, and I’ve had two people help me write and edit these four articles. A special thanks to Elyse and MJ for their input and patience.