The Stress of Farming

Farming isn’t easy. There are breakdowns—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And for the farmer’s wife, it’s even harder watching it all unfold, knowing you’ve both been doing everything you can to keep the farm running.

There’s the physical breakdown. Getting the call or text saying something’s broken and a parts run is needed is nerve-wracking. I have to drop what I’m doing and race out of wherever I am so my farmer can get back up and running.

How many places will I need to go to find the part?

Will John Deere still be open?

Will I need to go to Menards?

Where do I even start?

Sometimes, even my farmer doesn’t know. It’s frustrating for both of us. But I put on a really good car concert—thank you, ’90s Pop—so wherever I go, I try to make it fun. No matter how many places I visit or how many websites I scour, the part always gets delivered, and soon he’s back to planting seeds or harvesting the ones from earlier in the year.

But these physical breakdowns can quickly lead to mental and emotional ones:

Seriously, the hose broke again? It was brand new!

Another bolt?! Should we just start buying them in bulk?

Every third row on the planter isn’t planting—why?!

All of it takes a toll—not just on the farmer, but on the whole family. It makes you wonder: Why can’t things ever go smoothly?

And then there’s the weather.

Why isn’t it raining? Our plants are going to die, and we won’t have a crop.

When will it stop raining? Our plants are going to die, and we still won’t have a crop.

It’s too wet to get into the field to side-dress the corn.

You start to doubt if you’re even supposed to be farming at all.

But on our farm, God made it very clear: we’re called to this lifestyle. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. He never promised sunshine and roses. We have an enemy who works tirelessly to distract us, to make things harder, and to discourage us from doing what furthers the Kingdom of God.

So, what do we do?

We pray.

We seek guidance from the One who will never sabotage us. The One who leads us and provides for us. He’s made a way for every part to be paid for, every land and barn payment, every seed order. Why would He stop now?

He won’t.

Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” So we cling to Him. Because He makes it all possible.

Farming is hard—in every way. So the next time you pass a farmer on the road or see one working in the field, please say a prayer for them.

Believe me, we need it.