I got some blow back from a guy over my So, you want to be a farmer or rancher post.
He is convinced I have a very cushy life as a farmer. He is convinced I pay no sales tax and get multiple govt pay outs and big insurance pay outs for having a farm. After all, who wouldn’t want to live like that?
I assure you; I do not get any of that.
I don’t get social security
I pay sales tax
I don’t get any incentive plan per acre
I don’t get “covid relief”
I don’t get crop insurance pay outs. Granted, i’m not a crop farmer
And even though I did apply for FEMA covid funeral relief after my husband passed, guess what I got? After 11 months of waiting for approval, I got squat. I did contact my senator and he has stepped in on my behalf, but still no approval after 2 more months.
As of right now, I’m trying to figure out how to pay for hay next year, along with all the other big expenses, Ya know, like insurance for the house and vehicles.
If I can’t come up with the money, then I will be forced to sell my sheep and no longer be a farmer. I do have an off-farm job, but it does not pay much, and very little is left over after the monthly bills are paid. Believe me, I live a very frugal life.
Hence me trying to monetize myself here.
So, if you think that farming and ranching is all cushy and paid by the govt, you would be very wrong. It’s a lot of stress, worry, sleepless nights, and trying to cobble a life together with bale twine and duct tape. It’s literally blood, sweat and many tears.
I’m holding on for now, because I feel an obligation to keep the dream my husband and I had alive. I want to honor him and his life, desires, dreams and wishes. And I want to live this life also.
Blessed be.
ps, this is not a pity post. Guess I’m just trying to explain reality. Always a losing battle.
Edited to add: He said he is a farmer too and his wrath is at big ag and rich donors
Sheesh! Even if it was a cushy life, it’s your life.
No need to explain anything to anyone. But this post helps me understand a farmer’s struggle better. I am learning a lot here. Thanks Judy.
He must have missed your post about the abscess sheep lip.