Young Farmer and Rancher Update
Susan Wilkins, YF&R Chair
I’ve heard from more people
than I can count that they
have missed my article in this
magazine over the last few
months. It has been beyond
flattering to have so many
tell me how much they enjoy
what I have always considered
ramblings, and sometimes even rants. It is an eerie
experience to be in a gas station in Hardy County and
to get more involved with church and community
organizations. Finding time for things like Farm
Bureau is a constant battle.
for a perfect stranger to approach me to ask why I
haven’t been writing anything lately!
else. And in a few months, that might change for
something else.
I don’t really have a good excuse. I could blame
work. I could blame two truly precious nephews.
I could blame my involvement with too many
volunteer organizations. I could blame a new house.
I could blame a lot. Sometimes life just gets in the
way. Sometimes life just goes so fast that you can
barely keep up.
As long as we remember a verse from Matthew 6:21,
that’s ok. Matthew reminds us that “for where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Be sure that
your treasure is worthy of your heart and your time.
Young farmers struggle a lot with keeping up
and keeping balance. We are working our farms,
starting careers, building homes, starting families or
looking forward to starting families, and being asked
There are four things that matter the most to me.
Four things that I put above everything else -- my
faith, my family, my farm, and my friends. Everything
else happens in the very rare spare time outside of
that. Balance in life is a precarious thing. Sometimes
one thing in life will take precedence over everything
Think about what you are making your treasure.
Take some time to slow down and enjoy an afternoon
on the front porch with your family and friends.
Sometimes you have to say no to something else
demanding your attention, but time missed with the
people you love and care about is time you can never
get back.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 21