Focus on Agriculture: As the seasons change

As an outdoor enthusiast with a degree in horticulture, I am sad to admit that I’m not one of those plant ladies whose homes look like magazine covers, adorned with vibrant, flourishing plants.

Over the years, I’ve had plants here and there, but never for extended periods. However, this time feels different.

Last holiday season, I received a stunning, full, red poinsettia as a gift. Initially, I made it a point to water it regularly and provide it with ample light.

With my horticulture background and experience caring for poinsettias in a greenhouse, I know what they need. Yet the plant has been moved around my kitchen and living room, often neglected in a corner without direct sunlight for weeks at a time.

I water it weekly, but that’s about all the attention I can manage during those busy periods. Then, as my mood shifts or the seasons change, I suddenly find the time to care for it. I relocate it to a sunlit spot for a couple of weeks, prune the dead leaves and shower it with love.

I’ve often considered repotting it into a larger home, but I never expected that this same plant would still be thriving in my house today. I’m thrilled to announce that I’m nearing a year of being a plant mom.

Relationships mirror the care of a plant in that the attention I’m willing to give — whether to my plants or relationships — varies with my mood or the current season of life.

Above our door hangs a sign that says, “I interrupt this marriage for farming season.” This rings true in our home. During certain times, my kids and I may go extended periods without deep connections or conversations with my husband.

We experience days where we merely pass each other, and that becomes our only interaction. This isn’t due to a lack of love or anger — it’s simply our way of navigating life, one day at a time.

We envision a future where our family farm flourishes sustainably, using innovative agricultural methods that protect the environment and boost productivity.

We hope it becomes a treasured resource for the local community, offering fresh local goods while supporting local economies. Our dream is for it to become a well-known staple, a place where people feel familiar and can trust us.

When the kids were little, I made it a priority to take them to the fields each night to ride in the tractor with their dad, share dinner in the fields and just enjoy being together.

As they’ve grown into young adults with their own responsibilities on the farm, our interactions have shifted to texting, working side by side in the fields, caring for the animals at all hours, or stealing quick kisses as we rush in opposite directions.

During these exhausting seasons, love is the feeling and teamwork is essential — all for the love of the farm.

For my children, I envision a future filled with opportunities to chase their passions and talents, whether they continue in farming or explore other paths. I hope they grow to appreciate hard work, resilience and respect for nature.

It’s our desire for them to become compassionate, informed individuals who make positive contributions to society, carrying forward the values and knowledge passed down through generations. I want them to recognize their worth, value relationships and know that we will always support them, no matter their choices.

As I nurture my poinsettia and other green companions, I’m constantly reminded of the growth happening within our family. There’s beauty in balancing the care of both our plants and relationships, allowing them to thrive with attention, patience and understanding.

Embracing the changing seasons, both in nature and in life, we remain grounded in the understanding that, like the poinsettia, we can bloom beautifully with the right amount of love and care. And, the cycle continues, with each chapter presenting new challenges and opportunities to grow together.

Heather Lang is a family farmer in North Dakota. She currently serves as president of her county Farm Bureau. Follow her on Instagram at ndpiggytales. This column was originally published on North Dakota Farm Bureau’s “On Your Table” blog.