Tag Archives: Farming

Rich?

As a ranch/farm operation so many people from outside of Ag see us as “Rich.”  Especially with the expansion and risks that our operation has taken in the past year.  So the question, “Are you rich?” I would answer in this way…

As a rancher’s wife, I am incredibly rich.  I am rich in life, love, the ability to work outside, the ability to raise my children in a culture and lifestyle that makes me proud, as well as owning some of the land we use.  We may look “Rich” to the outsider looking into our family operation seeing the cattle, the number of vehicles, the land,  but most times, it is on payments, just as a person outside of Ag has payments on their house, cars, toys.

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Now this brings me to the question that we think of as the traditional, “Rich.”  I would have to say if you were to see our checking/saving accounts right now, you would be like, oh no, definitely not “Rich.”  Possibly after selling, shipping, collecting any income you might think, wow, with a check like that, they can do anything.  The reality is that yes we could, but if we want to continue our operation, our Family legacy, then the bills must be paid first and foremost.  Normally after bills are paid, many farmers and ranchers such as ourselves, live within the median income levels.

We are incredibly blessed to do what we do within the Agriculture sector of the economy and live in this lifestyle.  I wrote this quick blog in order to send you all over to Corn Corps out of Illinois to read more in-depth about the financial pictures of farmers and ranchers.

 

Meet & Greet: Macy Sarbacker

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We are welcoming Sarbacker Cattle Company and Macy Sarbacker today!  Sarbacker Cattle Company is a family owned Holstein operation located in Belleville, Wisconsin, just South of Madison.  They are in a major transition currently.  Over the past three years they have sold off their Dairy Milking Herd and are currently raising Holstein Heifers with the intent for them to be show heifers.

At a mere 21 years of age this gal has graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Ag Journalism and Mass Communications.  Macy has helped transition Sarbacker Cattle Company in the past 3 years and has goals to continue to expand the new operation and possibly starting up a custom heifer raising operation.  If you are looking for that perfect show heifer, be sure to check her out!

Macy Sarbacker

Aside from her work on the farm, Macy is doing great things for Agriculture outside of their family operation, she is the Dairy Editor at Agri-View which is Wisconsin’s leading Ag Newspaper.   The Montana Ranch Adventure has had the opportunity to be a feature in Agri-View thanks to Macy!

When asked the question of Why Blogging and Why Ag? Macy answered, “It’s important for me to be involved in my dairy operation because I believe in the future of agriculture. I grew up immersed in agriculture and sincerely wish that everyone had the opportunity to do so. I also think it is important for me to be involved in my family’s dairy operation because it provides me with the opportunity to educate others. The average person today is so far removed from farms, that they don’t have any idea what goes on in the agriculture world. Being involved in my family’s dairy operation allows me to live out my passion and explain my passion to the general public.”  Macy believes that it is so important to continue to increase transparency in the Ag Industry and states that, “There’s no reason to lie or keep secrets.  If we’re open and honest with the public, we gain trust and respect.”  We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

   I want to know your dirty little secret…..ok you don’t have to give that up, but tell me something unique about you, your operation, your family, anything goes! 

“Last winter my family lost our entire barn, office and calf barn to a barn fire. As if it wasn’t tough enough to sell our milking herd, losing our third generation farm was a tough blow. We now have a newly built show heifer barn and office! Through our tough times we learned the importance of the agriculture community. Farmers, friends and neighbors from close and far pitched in to get calves out of the barn, to save paperwork from the office and to bring us home-cooked meals for weeks after the fire. As difficult as it is to experience loss and change, we so quickly learned how grateful we are for the support of the agriculture community.”

– – To Macy and the entire Sarbacker family, we are sending our prayers and lots of love, we know how devastating fires are to Agriculture Family Business.  We are wishing you the smoothest and best recovery and know you have so much support backing you!  Thank you so much Macy for sharing your story with us, and being a part of “Women Who Get Things Done in Ag” feature!   To check out more on The Sarbacker Operation, and Macy follow her on Facebook, at her Blog, and also, check out Agri-View!