Farmers like the Groseks need skills and knowledge to run their farms well. But what exactly are those?

Some depend on the type of farming. A rancher needs to know how to take care of cows. How much do they eat? When should the veterinarian come? Folks who grow apples need to know when to prune the trees. 

Some schools give classes on raising animals or growing plants. The Cooperative Extension System offers classes in many counties. Books hold a wealth of information. And farmers learn a lot from each other.

Planning and organizational skills are important too. Watch the calendar—frost might kill seedlings planted too early. Plant too late, and crops may not produce food before cold weather comes. Farmers need to track what resources they have and when to use them. A corn farmer must know how much fertilizer he or she has, and decide how much to use on each field.

Farmers often have many tasks each day. Feed the chickens, collect the eggs, prune the fruit trees, fix the fence, clear a fallen tree: Which is most important, and how can workers get everything done? 

Farmers also need to know how to manage money. How many seeds are in the budget this year? Is there enough savings to pay the bills if the fields produce very little?

Farms often provide jobs for others. Farmers hire long-term or short-term workers. Good leaders make sure everyone knows what to do. 

You may not live on a farm. But if you have a garden spot, you can practice many of these skills!

Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. — Psalm 85:12

Recommended Reading: For more about farming, read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski.