Its important to learn - you have to know who you are.

I didn’t define myself as an Urban Farmer, but around five years ago a quiet older lady in her 70s who knew my wife and I, our children and our lifestyle … she quietly said to me, “You people are urban farmers”.

Mary had eight kids of her own and she farmed with her husband for a living.  She was born and raised on a farm.  I guess if anyone is going to know a farmer - it would be her.  Without the benefit of understanding just what Mary meant … I could see she had a point.

Of course it got explained.  It made perfect sense.

Mary observed how our work day never really started or stopped just like farmers.  We centered our family and our work around the another.  A lot of the work was done right out of our home.  Some times of year would be busier.  Some times of year it was time to sow and others - we reaped.  Good times blessed us with good business and health.  Tough times tried us.  Certain events seemed like acts of God.

Sometimes I’d take some or all of the kids with out in “the field”.  Those days are always the best.  One day we had to run out to a new construction home in a smaller town, rural land all around.  We almost always would stop somewhere - on the way home.  Sometimes we’d get an ice cream - or we’d stop at a local speedway to watch drivers practice for the big summer night races.

Coming up on fall - we stopped along the side of a long and flat county road just west of I-35 and 45 miles south of Minneapolis.  Near Northfield for all you who like true legend.  The Jesse James gang met there end right up there.  The boys and I - we’ve checked the old bank in town where the street gunfight broke out.  We were working together that day - too.

I pulled up right tight with a deep and overgrown ditch.  Me and the boys stopped to watch a farmer this day.  Soybeans - he was bringing in.  Moisture content is important with beans and they were just perfect right then.  They had to come in.  I’m not a farmer but I know when every tractor is in the field - the time is right.  I popped the boys on the roof of the vehicle so they would get a little better vantage.

We didn’t watch long.  The farmer in the field stopped - opened the big side door to the cab.  He waved.  He waved us over.  I don’t know how we got through that ditch - it was that thick and deep.  I just remember I had to take one boy at a time on my shoulders - go back and get the next.  When we got out close enough in the field, the young farmer hollered, “Yer boys want to bring in beans?”

Boys eyes are sometimes as big as old silver dollars.

The farmer’s name was Charlie.  His family owned all that land since around the time this state became one.  He was very busy that day but he wasn’t too busy for a stranger and some young boys.  The young farmer was working - but more - he was living.  Living while he worked.  Working while he lived.  And life was good.  He had a chew - offered me one I didn’t take - but wanted.  I don’t even chew but it would have been good then.  We were all farmers.  I thought back when the old lady told me we were urban farmers.

We rode a long time in that cab.  I kept the pictures.  Take a peek -  days like those are some of my best memories - ever.

I don’t think farming is ever easy - but it is good - farmers LIVE.  I should know - I am one.

If you are in real estate, mortgage, home inspection, title, appraising or construction - I know many all over are suffering from a bumper crop.  Its not time to get out - if this is your way of life.  Remember - you’ve got to know who you are.

Sometimes it takes a lady who has lived most of her years - to tell you who you are.  Mary was right.  We’re urban farmers.  That’s who we are - the freedom that comes with a farming profession can be difficult to hold onto in a bad market and a bad economy.  We know there aren’t lots of simple options for regular people or real estate professionals now.  Its time to broaden the horizon - look forward to the future again.

Free From Real Estate is not about getting OUT of real estate - it about thinking different to help people - so we can stay free - or get free again - not slaves to our homes and our jobs - no matter what we do.

How? - requires a little more I will share soon.  Hang around Free From Real Estate.

Its a little after midnight here and farmers get up early - to make hay while the sun is shining.