I have written previously about 2024 being a crushing year for us for so many reasons. As the new year has gotten underway, we continue our plans for moving into the next growing season. We get so busy working within the trenches that it is easy to become stuck in them. We knew we had to do something different.

So, my husband and I took off to a farm conference. We have done this many years in the past. It would have been easy to stay home this year. We could have justified it for a multitude of reasons, but we finally just said we needed to go. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the conference coordinator with an enthusiastic greeting and we began to feel the energy that awaited us.

As the conference began, we attended some great informational sessions and were talking with other farmers from around the United States. The networking with these other producers is so valuable. We learn so much from each other. My husband and I are baffled every year why we don’t see producers from our area. There is so much to learn. We usually divide and conquer the sessions and then talk later about each one.

When our kids were little and asked where we were going, we would say “farm school.” I guess that was the best way to describe it to them. It is the professional development we need. Most jobs require some sort of professional development, and in our job we choose it. We enjoy hearing about other operations and their innovations.

We met up with some familiar faces and friends we have made from previous years. It was nice to be around others who really “get” what we do and what our life is about. While we work through the aftermath of last year and look with optimism for the new year, we have a path. Our trip out of the trenches was just what we needed.