For me, heading out the door as a kid meant saying, “See you later, Mom,” but other families have similar stories that tell of the love for one’s mother.In reminiscing, many adults in the High Plains share the story of their mother being the patient one when it came to teaching them how to drive a vehicle.
If mothers grimaced, they wouldn’t show it to their sons or daughters because they wanted them to feel confident behind the wheel. Years later it is easy to forget that it took a maternal approach to be patient while we went through our “trials of life.”
Sense of family
Mother’s Day has always been about a sense of family. Church attendance is much higher than the norm. Restaurants are filled with families taking their mom out to dinner so she does not have to prepare one. Many telephone calls are made, and cards are mailed in advance.
The tradition of Mother’s Day should never be lost on us. We also need to recognize the trends that more women are taking an active role in farm and land management.
Mom’s earlier jobs on the farm or ranch were rooted inroots on the farm and ranch included efficiently operating the household and family budget, picking up parts at a dealership, and making sure kids were getting their homework done. Moms drove grain trucks and grain carts when it was all hands on deck at harvest time. If Mom grew up in ranchland country, she took her turns at digging musk thistles. They were influential in 4-H, church and parent organizations at local schools. Those mothers got a front-row seat for how life operated beyond the farm.
Added responsibilities
In some cases, Moms took on extra roles on the farm or ranch because of the unexpected death of a spouse, but other families needed a matriarch to lead the farm and ranch operation. Kansas State University’s Women in Agriculture conference earlier this year shed light on these entrepreneurs who entered the arena of farm management. Regardless of gender, having a support system of peers and trusted advisers is what it takes to successfully manage a complex farm and ranch operation.
Recognized success
Some of the nation’s leading agribusinesses are led by women, and the companies’ performances have prospered.
Women managers are found throughout the agri-business chain. Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, was recently featured in the TIME100 list of the 100 most influential people in the world. During her tenure, Land O’Lakes has focused on its members, the technology that enables them to be successful, and on ensuring the vibrance and connection of the communities in which they live and work, a news release stated.
Ford’s example illustrates another High Plains asset. Many women serve on school boards, county and city commissions, Extension boards, bank boards and grain and electric cooperatives. They offer their skills to help improve the present and make it attractive for their children to return home if they want to do so.
Whether our Mom is with us today or is no longer here, we can forever be thankful for her influence.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
