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5 Ways to Transform Yourself into an Urban Farm Wife

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Being a wife to a man in any profession is a challenge, however, being an urban farm wife requires a special skill set that most suburban wives don't get.

Being a wife to a man in any profession is a challenge, however, being an urban farm wife requires a special skill set. Your husband often works long hard hours away from home, your family follows a more natural way of living and you tend to get dirty.

We’ve had a bit of excitement lately. On Easter Sunday, one of our hogs gave birth to 11 little piglets!

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I never thought I’d be so excited about pigs! My husband went to feed the hogs (we’ve got 2 and they were both pregnant) after church and discovered that one of them had given birth. After lunch with the family, the girls and I headed to the farm to meet the new little piglets.

This year has been exciting because my husband has stepped out and started his own business, Anthony’s Roots. He’ll be selling range free eggs, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and hogs.

I never in a million years thought I’d be married to a farmer. In fact, my coworkers and friends often say that I look nothing like a farmer’s wife, and am to prissy to be a farmer’s wife. Well I beg to differ! In fact, let me tell you how to be an urban farm wife.

 Be Flexible

This is easy (sort of) for me because as a school counselor, I know that everyday is different. The only constant is change, and constantly expect the unexpected. The same is true for farming. Sundays are usually designated as family days, however this past Sunday, Easter Sunday to be exact, one of the hogs delivered piglets. My husband wasn’t expecting them for a few days, so he had to finish their nesting area.

To complicate things even more, it rained most of the day, and one of the other hogs got out. What was supposed to be a one hour trip to the farm turned into a 4 hour ordeal. Instead of getting bent out of shape about him not being home, I packed up the girls and joined him.

Don’t be Afraid to Get Dirty 

Living in the south, you hear all kinds of expressions like frog giggin & mud boggin’ which to me, all equal getting dirty. I’ve never been much of an outdoorsy person, but farming has changed that considerably.

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I’ve always been an animal lover, so I enjoy helping my husband care for the animals. Buddy our dog, loves to jump on me after he’s been walking around in the mud.

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Just yesterday I had the pleasure of helping some of the new piglets find their way to their mother as she turned over so they could nurse. Their eyesight still isn’t that good, so they had trouble getting to her when they wanted some milk.Did I mention it was raining? In the past I would’ve never stepped foot in the rain for fear of ruining my hair. Thankfully, my gel kept my curls intact.

 Be Supportive

Farming is hard work! Physically and mentally.

My husband multi-tasks daily, and his mind is usually on work. He works long hours and he prepares for planting and harvesting. The craziest hours in our home are probably between 5:00-8:00 pm. Lately, he’s been coming home between 6:30-7:00, after the peak of crazy. It’s easy to lash out at him when he comes in the door, but I have to remind myself that he’s making a sacrifice too.

He’d much rather be home with us, but is working hard during this busy season. Don’t forget to be your husband’s biggest cheerleader!

Invest in Fashion Friendly Farm Clothes

Believe me, I am being realistic when I say that. I know that it would be foolish to wear 3 inch heels and all my favorite jewelry, but who says working outside means you have to look thrown away?

I’ll have to admit, sometimes I don’t always match (don’t judge me!)  My new favorite statement farm piece is a great graphic tee. IMG_2481

 

Being a wife to a man in any profession is a challenge, however, being an urban farm wife requires a special skill set that most suburban wives don't get.

 Use the Farm as Teachable Moments for your Children

The girls love animals just as much as I do, so we’ve been teaching them to respect the animals and handle them with care.

My five year old has also been asking her daddy if she can help do different things. For example, yesterday she asked to help shovel. He told her to wait so he could help her, but she picked up the shovel anyway and ended up knocking her sister in the head. She is so eager to help, but she’s got to learn to slow down.

Being a wife to a man in any profession is a challenge, however, being an urban farm wife requires a special skill set that most suburban wives don't get.

One of the courtesies of farm life is all the built in lessons I’ll get to teach my children.

 

Being a wife to a man in any profession is a challenge, however, being an urban farm wife requires a special skill set that most suburban wives don't get.

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Wow 11 piglets? My daughter would have a fun time at your farm. The closest she has ever gotten to farm animals were those at the petting zoo. I’m sure your kids are having a fun time with those little piggies.

    Reply

    • Robin, if you asked me a year ago, I couldn’t imagine it either! We don’t live on the farm yet, so I get the pleasure of enjoying the good parts 🙂

      Reply

  3. Oh How I would love to live and work on a farm one day. I would love to take care of a few horse, goats, chicken’s and maybe a Pig here or there. Those piglet’s sure are adorable!

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  4. I’m so proud of you and your blogging! Great article and great words of advice. I know my little superstars love it too!

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  5. They are SO cute! I have always wanted a mini pig in the house, but we are settled with a pup for now! She is a handful! Farms can be so fun with animals giving birth to young!

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  6. This is the sweetest post ever! Not only am I a sucker for animals (totally swooning over those piglet pics), but I love seeing your kids interact with them. What could be cuter? Plus, I think that living on a farm is so intriguing! I can’t wait to follow along 🙂

    Reply

  8. Look at those piggies. Too cute. I dont know if I could cut it on a farm, but I do think it teaches kids a lot. I grew up with a lot of friends who lived on farms and they were always really adventurous and hard working. And yes, I would look cute on the farm, too . Hahah.

    Reply

  12. That’s so awesome! We try to homestead our little quarter of an acre lot in the city. We have had chickens in the past and love them. What I really want are little pygmy goats – but those pigs are seriously adorable! Good luck! And as far as fashionable – I bought some really pretty muck boots, they may get messy, but when I hose them off they are still pretty 🙂

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  15. I grew up around farms (my aunt had a dairy farm) and it is messy work! But, it all washes off and when you get see so many adorable baby pigs at once you quickly forget about the mud. 😉 Your girls are getting a great education about life that isn’t taught in schools!! Love this post!

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    • Thanks April. We don’t quite live on the farm yet. I am a full time school counselor, so my husband does most of the work. I get to enjoy exploring the land and playing with the animals.

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  17. O-M-G those piglets are so cute!! I grew up on a very small farm, so as a child, I loved spring when all the baby animals started being born. We had chickens, pheasants (my dad raised them and released them into the wild to bring up the pheasant population for hunting, ducks, and a pig once.

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  18. I am absolutely blown away by your experience! Imagine to see the 11 piglets! How cool is that! When I was growing up we would visit my grandfather at his farm and I loved every moment of it. I warned him not to eat the pig, cow, and the chickens that I made friends with (I don’t think he kept his word though!).

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  19. I’m going to need these tips when I take the boys to the local farm. It’s not easy when you have more than one little guy to look after.

    I love that you mentioned how you can still be fashionable at a farm. I’ve always imagined all I have to throw on we’re cowboy boots (something I dread!)

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    • Fatima, I can imagine! My girls like to be wild & adventurous & theres a lot they can get into. I love fashion, so I think if you can be fashionable working out, why not on the farm?

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  20. I grew up around many farmers… it is hard work, and those were some of the most supportive people Ive ever met. Id come to visit you and those adorable pigs…. but Im not sure my 13 year old would let me leave without one for a pet!

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    • We would let you have one 😉 I guess our society aids in misconceptions about farmers. I know I had some until I met a few & you’re right they’re very hard working & supportive.

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  21. those piglets are adorable. i’m so jealous. i have literally no outdoor space in baltimroe and i’d kill for a deck for plants, maybe one day i could get to this amazing level.

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  29. Love the little piggys and everything about this post. My family has a cattle ranch in west Texas so I can totally relate.

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  30. Those little piglets are super cute though 🙂

    One of my friends is married to a farmer here in SA – it is REALLY tough on them at the moment with the drought – farming is not just about planting some stuff or having some animals. People dont realise that!

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    • That is so true! I must admit, before becoming a farmer’s wife, I had no idea how much hard work went into running a farm! You have to be business savvy, handy, people friendly (sales) and know a little bit about everything! I have so much more respect for how my food gets to my table. I wish the best for your friend’s husband. Droughts are no joke!

      Reply

  34. I never realized how cute baby pigs were and I definitely never realized how different they looked from each other. I thought they were puppies at first!

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  35. I seriously admire you so much! We have had chickens and that was more work than I expected! I’ve also tried to have a garden and have never quite succeeded at that, either. I would love to have a hobby farm, but just from those two experiences, I know just a little bit how much work it is to have a farm! Thanks for all you do both on the farm yourself, and supporting your husband!

    Reply

    • Thanks Suzanne! I was pretty naive at the beginning too about how much work was involved, so we’re in the same boat! I appreciate your well wishes

      Reply

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