The Face of a Farmer

-- photo of my father taken by my ultra-talented niece, Taylor

I read this last night and it touched me deeply. Although I am not married to a farmer, farming is in my heart and soul because of my upbringing. I will confess here that I was never good at reading my father. Perhaps I was too young, or perhaps I was distracted by the world which was calling to me. Nonetheless, I love this essay and feel she captured the complicated face of many farmers. Hope you enjoy it in some small way.

"I've been watching the side profile of my farmer husband from across the dinner table for twenty years. And before that I watched my farmer father's profile.

When a farmer stares directly at his plate, things are going well with the farm work and he's enjoying his food. When a farmer stares past and over the edge of his dinner plate, the weather hazards and financial matters are bothering him. When he stares at his plate with glazed eyes and doesn't notice what is on it, he's tired. When he glares at the dinner plate as if to burn holes in it with his eyes, he's upset about a machinery repair, a sick critter, or the creek going dry.

Farmers wear the weather on their faces. No words can change the bronzed, rough appearance of a farmer's face. There are no words that make their faces shine until the sun shines so they can get the harvest done.

The dust in the wrinkles of a farmer's brow is as indicative of his work as the creases and callouses on his hands. Farmer's faces tell stories of determination and persistence to survive.

The harvest will get done. Farmers will not be as tense. And farmwives will again quietly observe happier profiles."

-- by Joan L. Potts, from "Leaning Into the Wind", a compilation of writings by women who write from the heart of the West, the farms and ranches.