Farming Sucks Secrets

I love farming, and was happy to build my whole life around it, but it was always challenging for me to recommend that other people do the same as me, because there are a lot of really good reasons to avoid farming. Now that I have some distance away from the farm, I'm happy to talk about the complications of the lifestyle, and to say - I'll never consider starting a farm again.
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Ian and Serina of YOU CANT EAT THE GRASS feel that every small change can make a big difference to the world we live in. Every garden planted leads to a better future. We hope to inspire and motivate others to make positive changes in their lives by sharing our journey towards greater sustainability as we build our family farm. It's hard work to build a life worth living, and completely worth it!

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[GingerHolcomb-zs]

I was sad when you left the farm because it was your dream. It's good to see you doing so well with all the challenges you've been through. You are amazing!

[FarmerC.J.]

So happy to see you doing so well!
With the cost of food so expensive, designing a backyard garden would help the average person learn to provide food for their families.

[maryhow]

You’re looking better and stronger than ever! Your new life is agreeing with you ❤️

[claytoncomeaux]

I've done hard hard work almost my entire life. When I saw how hard and long you labored farming, it made me feel lazy. You have my total respect and admiration. You certainly deserve the best this world has to give.

[audreyfisher]

You are just as enjoyable without the farm. We like listening and watching you. Thank you for sharing.

[tinalee]

Serena - each and every point you have made is 100% accurate! As a flower farmer myself - I experience all of the things you have mentioned! And so true about the soil - when I had Lymphoma (in my blood and bones) summer before last my Oncologist forbid me to touch the soil or my flowers for fear I would die, seriously! It's called Aspergillosis which comes from the mold that is so easily formed and causes lung infections. Thankfully I had planted all my crops before finding out I had Lymphoma but I did have to hire someone to do everything else inc harvesting and make bouquets to sell at my flower stand. I didn't make a penny that year, took a loss, but it allowed me to keep my farm. Thankfully my husband has a full time job so we just tightened our belts and made due with his pay and more importantly, I am in remission. But, like you said - there are no guarantees in farming with crops (which have failed due to weather as well), health, income, etc!! Our joke when something goes wrong is "become a flower farmer they said, it will be fun they said". lol!! GREAT VIDEO!!!

[BodhiShasta]

This should be required viewing for anyone considering going into farming, even on a small scale. I really appreciate your insight and honesty. I am glad you can now prioritize self-care and getting enough sleep. This is so important, especially for moms, because we usually take care of everyone else. xxx

[Cushla]

Serena you need to write a book!!! So much knowledge to share. Starting a new food growing adventure would be a great read, as well as the highs and lows, what to expect, your journey etc. I hope you are already thinking about it ❤

[tuhesse]

You should sell your seedlings & extra veg in your front yard… cash only! and bouquets later as you have some. Extra cash is always a good thing! You got this!

[ambrosiafarms]

These are good points and after 35 years of being blessed to build a farm the reality is you have to love it (as you do) because the hardships are real. The intensive capital, repairs, and maintenance make it difficult for young families. It’s critical, in my opinion, to have a second source of income . Yes, that means more hours of work. As you said you can do everything right and still have setbacks. We’ve rescued numerous animals so more expenses! You also need a partner, a caretaker, a person to share the burdens! Farming is not a solo operation. Farmers are a rare and endangered species in our technology driven society. We share you passion and hope you find a special someone with a farm to start over again if that’s your wishes!

[acresaway]

"Weather patterns aren't really patterns anymore", could not be more true. We are expecting 90 on Monday, here in Texas, and the following Monday is predicted to be 50. 🤦🏻‍♀️. On another note, you look amazing. Can't wait to see what you grow this year!

[yeseniasanchez]

As a full time farmer, This is 💯 real! The only thing I would add is that on top of all these challenges we have to deal with everyone having an opinion about how we should be farming 🙄. We are judged for everything we do, as if we aren't doing the best we can, and those same people don't want to pay what food is worth.

[tribeoftravis]

My husband chose to not be married to the farm when he graduated college, he still helped his farming family on weekends and during crisis or to allow his family to vacation or recover from medical. His heart never left the farm but he had a unique opportunity to still have a foot in it when he could.

[vickyliu]

Serina, I have a lot of respect for you. Farming is a lot of labour. YouTube content creation is also a lot of labour. You have been running both unbelievably challenging tasks in tandem while juggling a young family. Building of the dream farm have been documented on this wonderful channel. These are treasure moments you have shared with the viewers; you have inspired them to love and get into gardening and growing or decorating with flowers; and you have walked them through the unusual lockdowns of Covid while spreading abundance of joy and hope. In summary, you have reached the goal of impacting and changing the world in many different ways. Those customers who have received your vegetables and flowers are blessed and nourished. It is an honour that you have tried and committed. I hold a lot of respect and admiration for you. Pray for good energy, for you, and your family! You have beautiful children and all those who love and support you! Thank you so much for sharing with the viewers! I cannot express how much I love this creation this farm family this channel. Love and Respect!!! 💟💟💟💟💟

[tonileigh]

I wouldn't want to have a big farm, but can't imagine not having a huge garden. There is such a difference between the two. I grow enough for myself and to give to some people, but not to sell. I always have enough fresh and preserved to provide the majority of what I eat for the whole year, since I'm a vegetarian. I add to my garden every year, in veggies, fruits and herbs to give me more for eating, preserving and creating oils, salves, natural remedies, and herbal blends and other such things.

[JudiMAC]

I am now 72 and grew up on a mixed farm in Quebec. We were very lucky that no one was unable to work for long periods of time. We all worked the "make hay while the sun shines" hours during the busy season. During the down season my dad drove a school bus and my mom would work off farm at times. Nothing seems to have changed except that family farms have disappeared into business farming which I do not think is necessarily for the better. I understand about Covid too. As a child we never went anywhere. Looking back I still think it was worth it as a child, but it not something that I chose as an adult and not something my dad wanted for his children. Are farmers introverts? not all i imagine. Thank you for this video. Most people who live on homesteads have outside jobs and this includes vloging!

[kendastaudenmaier]

Your on a roll Serena. Love all the content.

[angelikabrady]

Hi Serena, I loved watching the flower farm and thought I would love to do it myself. But having studied agriculture and lived on a dairy farm for 13 years (I am originally from Berlin, Germany, but a total country girl at heart) I knew I would not stick it. I worked as an agricultural consultant and the happiest farmers I have seen were from a farming partnership or collective. Set up as a company there are agreed working hours, holiday pay and all the benefits an employee gets. Farmers are very lonely, there needs to be a shift towards farming partnerships with people sharing the workload. Generations back a lot of people needed to work on a farm and shared the ups and downs. The mechanisation has made it easier but also lonelier. Good luck with your future plans.

[clairelouise]

You educated and entertained all of us and that is priceless.

[breelinshea]

From what we all saw you were a tireless worker and loved/respected your product so much! So happy for you to have time away