"Active listening" means hearing what people say and not listening to answer questions. When talking to farmers, suppliers, and food companies, it means hearing what is said and asking questions about what is not. Many times, what they did not say is more important.
A good example is a recent conversation. The farmer talked about how he was new to owning a farm but had lived in farm country for ten years. He was excited to finally purchase a farm near his home and planned to move there once the house and property were in better shape.
So, he rented a small tractor in town to mow the high grass and clear an area around the house and barn. How hard could that be? The first thing he did was get the tractor stuck on a cattle guard.
I asked what he did. He said with a big smile and laugh, I called AAA. Who brought a truck to lift the tractor back into the yard. I was surprised he called AAA and said you know, I would have never thought to contact them. Then I asked what wasn't said: why not go next door to your new neighbor to be pulled out?
He paused momentarily and said I don't know anyone around here. I am originally from New York City, and we don't usually ask for favors from people we don't know. Again, he laughs and says that makes me a city farmer who dreams of owning land and watching something grow. Of course, I had to ask if he meant like Green Acres. We both laughed.
I see you have some good-looking corn and beans going out there, so you must have mastered the tractor and implements. No, after getting stuck a few more times clearing the property and a few more visits from AAA, next door visited. He wanted to see why AAA was coming out so much and to make an offer to contract the fields to grow the crops you see out there.
He also helped me buy the right-sized tractor to maintain the farm. But like a good city boy, mine has a closed cab with a radio and air conditioning.
The whole exchange made me think about how many times, growing up, someone would pull over to help me with my 1966 Fairlane on the side of the road. A farming community paying it back or forward, sharing a laugh, lessons, a hand, or just a wave and smile to our neighbors.
It reminds me how important community is in farming.
Speaking of community, I look forward to seeing so many at World AgriTech next week in San Fran. If you will be there, ping me in the app.
コメント