Growing a Farmer-Part 2: Reflections on Kurt's Journey

The second half of Growing a Farmer takes readers through the nitty gritty details of the manual labor that is involved with caring for various farm animals. It is within this half of the novel that readers are given a behind the scenes look at how much work it takes to get products from animal to table-the process is longer and more complicated than one would expect. I prefer not to think about this process for several reasons, but mostly because I lose my appetite once I hear these gory details. In addition, in the final half of the novel, Kurt gives readers his own personal reflections on what he believes he's accomplished thus far. It is wonderful to see him come full circle from bakery owner to farmer.

I think that one of my favorite aspects about reading this novel was the fact that upon purchasing the farmland, Kurt acknowledged the road ahead of him would be long. Nevertheless, Kurt embraced every step of his journey, struggles included, and learned from every experience. In a sense, this book is a sort of metaphor for life-you live, learn and constantly try to improve your circumstances. In addition, readers get to view the expansion of Kurt's agricultural and business knowledge. At the beginning of the novel, I personally thought that Kurt was crazy for even purchasing a large amount of land and entering into a venture he knew almost nothing about. As the novel went on, I appreciated the fact that he began to get more realistic with his goals and situation. Instead of simply operating on a whim, he takes calculated risks. Kurt states his dreams of "sell[ing] enough food to pay the bills so that a job in the city is no longer necessary" (Timmermeister 282). This is a dream of self-sustenance that I think everyone can relate to. 

As graduation nears, I think more and more each day of what I truly want out of my life. While one chapter may be coming to a close, I feel it necessary to be ready when the next one begins...In order to achieve your goals, you have to start somewhere. Furthermore, as we've learned through Kurt, you are responsible for your own happiness! Similarly to Kurt, I hope that I will be able to provide myself with the lifestyle I prefer.