Some might see farming as a really pointless trade, one that promises only heartbreak, money loss and lots and lots of whining. That’s right, whining.

Before I get the entire agriculture college burning me in effigy, let me explain.

Earlier this year in one of my political science classes, my professor said something that struck a chord with me. He asked why everyone thought that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was such a wonderful leader during such a terrible financial depression.

Naturally he asked me what my opinion was, mostly because I am so good about freely giving it out. I stated that I felt FDR had been such a good leader because he had provided jobs for people who did not have them, as well as given assistance to farmers.

My professor sort of smiled a crooked, easterner, definitely non-farm kid smile and said, “Yeah, that’s a typical farmer’s response to think that the government owes you something.”

For one minute in time I was speechless. I began to think about it and realized that farmers do often sit around and discuss what the government owes them and how terrible the weather is and all of the other unfairness that comes with the farming life. They don’t do this because they don’t love what they do; it’s just like any other typical employee complaining about his or her job.

With farmers, however, it is different, mostly because they are the boss and must claim all responsibility for their business, as well as the inconsistencies that come with farming, such as the weather and government regulations. Farmers and producers must deal with the very uncertain future of their trade. It’s like living for the moment to an entirely different extreme.

As a kid, I remember always worrying about the weather, the cattle markets and a lot of other things that most kids my age didn’t even think twice about. So when we break this down, the “whining” or voicing our concerns about farming is an ingrained habit from childhood for most farmers and producers. It comes naturally to always assume the worst and work for only the best.

It was not uncommon to feel as kid that being a farm kid was a rough way to go through life. While most kids were eating Cocoa Puffs and watching cartoons on Saturday mornings, farm kids found themselves doing some not-so-fun jobs. It is not as though a farm kid’s childhood was totally deprived. It seems as though my friends always liked to come out to my house and play because there was so much to do.

For those who are still unable to understand the farmer or producer’s lot in life, listen to a country song, and you’ll get the idea.

These early aspects of our childhood undoubtedly affect the type of music we like and the things we like to do in our spare time.

I know growing up on a farm automatically made me love country music and tractor pulls. Hope you’re catching my sarcasm.

Though it may seem farmers lament the responsibilities of their job on a constant basis, there are many perks that come with being a farmer or producer. We get to watch the sun rise in the morning and then work until the stars come out at night.

Often what we are doing is something our father’s father did before us, and there is something inherently proud about that concept.

We are endowed with the responsibility of caring for creatures that will provide for humankind’s needs, and we are blessed with the gifts of what we work so hard for.

There is something very comforting about falling asleep at night knowing you worked your butt off all day, and you will see the success of your labor the very next day.

Danelle Zellmer is a sophomore in public service and administration in agriculture from Atlantic.