A Day in the Life of a Farmer

Casey Templeton / contributing photographer Farmer Eldom Lam stands tall with the silos of his farm in the background.

Rising with the sun and finishing the day after it has set, a farmer’s life appears to be one of perseverance and sacrifice. Scarcely is there a reprieve from the work to be done to keep a farm running efficiently. Animals need feed, corn needs cutting and equipment needs repairs. Throughout the years, the farmer is at the mercy of uncontrollable variables such as the weather and crop prices.

For 50-year-old Elkton farmer Eldon Lam, farming isn’t just his occupation; it’s in his blood. The 250-acre homestead where Lam lives with his wife and raised his three children has been in his family for over a century. Today, Lam raises beef cows, poultry, soy beans and corn. He also does custom farm work such as baling hay or cutting corn for other farmers.

Despite the hard work, a farmer’s life is not without its rewards —particularly the close relationship a farmer develops with nature. "I like getting up before the sun and seeing the sun rise," Lam said. "The crops growing and baby calves being born."

Lam’s day begins at 5 a.m. His first task is to check on the chickens, which have brought in the most steady income for Lam, and make sure they are fed. Then the farm equipment is checked to make sure everything is in proper working order for the day.

How Lam spends the rest of his time varies. Some days, he may use his truck to haul cows and, on others, he may cut corn or work in the field. In the evening, he makes sure the cows are fed before ending his day around 8 p.m.

Life on a farm is unpredictable; however, just because the sun goes down or Lam is tired doesn’t mean he gets to call it a day. If something on the farm goes wrong or bad weather approaches, Lam’s days last even longer. "If something needs to get done you have to get it done," Lam said.

To Lam, one of the most important facets of farm living is that it also instilled strong family values and work ethic into his children, he said.

"Growing up on a farm teaches kids a lot about the value of life and working hard," Lam said. He adds, "Kids raised on a farm learn how to work younger, because there are always things that need to be done." Lam works alongside his son on the farm most days.

Farmers like Lam — who are able to find rewards in hard work— are essential to the day-to-day existence of Americans.