It’s no longer typical for college graduates to return to the family farm right after graduation, and especially during what some call a bleak outlook for agriculture. So why would I return to the farm during a pandemic, crazy markets and the never-ending list of things that could go wrong?

My answer is that the opportunity has presented itself during a pivotal time in agriculture and society. Today more than ever, a fresh mindset is crucial. Returning to the farm has been a dream of mine since I was little. Fortunately, I get to pursue it straight out of school, with the end goal being to own part of the operation that I can pass down to future generations.

Being raised in an industry that is the backbone of a nation certainly can present its challenges, but most of the risks you take end in reward. Before looking closer at my reasons for returning home, here’s what kind of farm I am joining. Cooper and Flash Genetics is a show pig operation in Batesville, Ind., run by my parents, Ron and April Flaspohler. We run 250 head of sows that farrow at least twice a year to fit different regions of the U.S., because states have different show seasons. We also run 150 head of feedlot cattle, tend a pumpkin patch and row-crop roughly 550 acres.

After graduating from Purdue University in May with dual bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness management and agricultural communication plus a Certificate of Entrepreneurship, I will return to the farm to help take over daily tasks. I also will manage online sales and marketing on our social media pages.

Here’s why I’m headed home:

It’s not the money. Believe me when I say this isn’t a get-rich-quick situation. I’ve seen the input costs. So, I will start off by making it clear that this decision isn’t for the money. When it comes to farming, if you’re in it to make millions, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.

It’s accomplishing goals as a family. Milestones and goals are always fun to set and meet, but have you ever made goals as a team or family? One of my favorite things to experience growing up was watching my parents be recognized as successful swine breeders across the country. They accomplished this as a team.

It’s the good people you do business with and learn from. From the countless experiences I’ve had making trips to town with my dad or mom to get parts or feed, the best part is the people who own the places where we do business. Most of the time, the business has been in their family for 50-plus years, and they’re just honest, hardworking people who love what they’re doing. Their calloused hands tell a story of growth, determination and leadership, and we can all learn from those qualities today. 

It’s the endless opportunities to seek advice from different commodity groups. My family’s involvement in the livestock and crop sides of the industry has benefited from great advice given to us by different commodity leaders. For example, Stephanie Morris at Indiana Pork does a great job advocating for youth activities in the state. Her work has had a huge impact, particularly at the Indiana State Fair with the Livestock Skillathon contest, which gives youth like my little sisters the opportunity to connect with industry professionals.

It’s the ground that has been in my family for a hundred years. Honestly, how cool is this? Preserving anything is special, but preserving land against the odds, with erosion, weather issues and other events out of your control is pretty awesome.

It’s the family tradition of hard work, dedication and perseverance. You can land many different jobs with those qualities on a resume. The farming community exemplifies this day-in and day-out with all their required tasks. But watching my parents smile ear-to-ear when they get compliments on how hardworking their kids are makes it all worth it.

It’s the kids you can mentor. I will leave you with the most important reason to return to the farm: the kids, period. I have heard many times in a show ring, and I couldn’t agree more, “The livestock are just vehicles for the kids we are raising in this industry.” There is no doubt that growing up, I had an abundance of people to look up to and seek advice from. I owe this industry everything because it gave me many opportunities to succeed and challenge myself growing up.

When I showed, winning was fun, but it was never the main goal. The end goal should revolve around taking the initiative to be an industry leader, be a good Samaritan in your community, always give more than you take, and be the person you looked up to as a kid. You owe it to the little kid who wants to be just like you.

Flaspohler is a senior in agricultural communication at Purdue University.