Dan Wright, President | Arkansas Farm Bureau
During a recent road trip, I was flipping through radio stations when I heard a song about writing a letter to your younger self. It was one of those slow, reflective songs that catches you off guard. I kept listening. The closer I listened, the more I started to think about what I would say if I’d had the chance to write that letter – to go back in time and talk to the younger version of myself when I was just starting out in farming and ranching.
It was a long road trip, so I had time for my mind to wander. Would I warn myself about some of the mistakes I’ve made over my life? Or would I focus on the things that turned out better than I ever expected?
There are definitely a few things I would want my younger self to know about the farm. First, I’d say this: There are going to be some tough times. Really tough. You’re going to face droughts, floods, equipment breakdowns and markets that turn against you overnight. There will be moments when you wonder how you’re going to pay the bills or whether you need to find an extra job. You’ll lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, going over the same numbers again and again.
But I’d also tell you this: You will make it. Not because luck always swings your way – because it won’t. You’ll make it because you’re stubborn in the right ways. You’ll refuse to quit. You’ll put in the hours, work through the setbacks and keep pushing forward because you’ve always been more afraid of failing than tired of trying.
That fear of failure is not always a bad thing. It will drive you. You’ll treat every financial decision like it is life or death. You’ll run numbers into the ground, staying up half the night with a pencil and a calculator, convincing yourself that something is either a risk worth taking – or not worth touching with a 10- foot pole. And sometimes, despite all that planning, you’ll still get it wrong. But often, you’ll make the right choice.
I’d also tell you that you’re not alone in feeling that way. Every farmer, every rancher, has those worries. The pressure to make the right call – to keep things going not just for yourself, but for your family, your employees and your legacy – is a heavy load. And no one really teaches you how to carry it. You just learn by doing. You get stronger because you must.
And here’s something I really wish you’d take to heart: Worry about what you can control – and let go of what you can’t. You’ll burn yourself out trying to make sense of things that are out of your hands. Worrying about whether a Farm Bill will get passed through Congress this year, how bad the weather will be and the impact of political games will drive you absolutely nuts. You didn’t create those difficulties, but you will have a chance to make things better. Be patient.
Don’t let bitterness sink in. Focus on what you can do – on your family, land, animals, employees and your whole operation. That’s where you can make a difference. And when you start to feel the frustration rising, take a minute and think about the good things. Think about your family. The ones who sit at your kitchen table every night. The ones who ride in the truck with you, who help fix fences, who grow up learning how to work with their hands and their hearts. That’s the real reward. That’s what keeps it all worthwhile.
I’d remind you, too, that not every good thing shows up on a balance sheet. Some of the best moments in your life will be quiet and simple: watching your kids play in a hayfield, hearing laughter around a dinner table after a long day, catching a sunrise before the rest of the world is even awake. These are among the blessings God has given you. Cherish them.
And, finally, I’d say this: Keep going. Keep doing what you’re doing. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like no one notices. Because one day you’ll be on a road trip, thinking about that younger version of yourself – and you’ll realize you’ve built a life that matters.
A life of work, yes – but also of purpose. A life rooted in land, effort and grit. A life built on the foundation of God, and a life surrounded by people who love you.
What would you write to your younger self?
God bless.