Riding out to check cows with a cup of morning coffee, their youngest son, Cale, 3, on her lap and oldest son, Cade, 9, on the seat between her and her husband, Chris – this is the way Amy Albrecht likes to spend Saturday mornings.
“These are the mornings when I say a silent prayer of thanks – we get to be outside, on the farm together, doing what we love,” said Amy, who grew up on the Alpena farm where she and Chris raise their sons today.
“I always wanted to raise my kids on the farm because they can play outside but also learn responsibility and humility with this lifestyle,” she said. “Not that the boys are old enough yet to have major chores, but they see their dad and grandpa out caring for the livestock and crops regardless of the weather, other responsibilities, or wants. They work until the work is done. It takes resilience to farm. Those are important lessons for my kids to learn.”
Amy spends weekdays off the farm working as a family nurse practitioner in Huron while Chris works on the farm raising cattle, crops, and operating a custom farming business.
“It keeps us busy,” Chris said. “Not many slow days around here. I like it when we have the opportunity to all get in the Ranger and check cows together or when the kids come ride along with me in the tractor. Amy likes to help when she can as well.” He knows Amy and the kids like to ride along whenever able, so he often waits until she is home from work before he does the evening check.
Amy spends weekdays off the farm working as a family nurse practitioner in Huron while Chris works on the farm raising cattle, crops, and operating a custom farming business.
“It keeps us busy,” Chris said. “Not many slow days around here. I like it when we have the opportunity to all get in the Ranger and check cows together or when the kids come ride along with me in the tractor. Amy likes to help when she can as well.” He knows Amy and the kids like to ride along whenever able, so he often waits until she is home from work before he does the evening check.
Chris added that considering the volatility of livestock and crop markets, Amy’s off-farm income provides the household budget with some stability as a bonus. “Heck of it is there are so many outside farm factors that weigh so heavily on our profitability anymore,” Chris said. “Amy having a job in town levels the playing field so to speak. It makes these market changes a little more tolerable knowing we have somewhat of a back up.”
Growing up on a farm near Marion, Chris always loved farming, but his family’s farm was small. He knew there was not an opportunity for him to build a career there. So, he got a degree in diesel mechanics from Lake Area Technical College. He was working as a mechanic when he met Amy.
Amy shared the story. “I was showing cattle in an open show in Valley City, North Dakota, and we had a guy helping us fit cattle. He brought his brother to the show to help, who also brought his best friend Chris.”
Like Chris, Amy loved growing up on her family’s farm.
“I always loved being outside with the animals, and I absolutely love taking care of things,” she said. “When I was 5, I told my dad I wanted a dog or a horse or I was moving out.”
Amy shared the story. “I was showing cattle in an open show in Valley City, North Dakota, and we had a guy helping us fit cattle. He brought his brother to the show to help, who also brought his best friend Chris.”
Like Chris, Amy loved growing up on her family’s farm.
“I always loved being outside with the animals, and I absolutely love taking care of things,” she said. “When I was 5, I told my dad I wanted a dog or a horse or I was moving out.”
Amy’s dad, Scott, bought her a dog. He also helped her bottle feed some kitties she found in the barn. “My parents were always supportive.”
Although she loved caring for animals, she found her calling in human medicine.
“I’m a science nerd at heart,” she explained. “I find the human body so fascinating. Probably a bit like Chris with his engines, I want to know why and how it works and what I can do to make it work better.”
Chris and Amy were in their mid-20s when they married. Amy’s dad, Scott, and mom, DeVonne, helped them get started by letting them run their cattle on the farm and cost-sharing equipment. Amy’s parents also helped Chris purchase a service truck. For the first several years after they moved to Amy’s family farm, Chris ran a diesel repair shop to help supplement the farm.
“We would not be where we are today without the jumpstart they gave us,” Chris said.
Source: farmforum.net
Photo Credit: GettyImages - Steve Baccon
Categories: North Dakota, General, South Dakota, General