The Farmer

G’day Scott,
 
My name is Sam Williams, I’m 13 years old, and I own a business – a Poll Dorset sheep stud. We’ve had an exceptionally wet couple of years – the sheep have wet feet (which causes lameness), they have skin issues due to moisture, and my first lamb went a little crazy in the yards and broke its neck and died in my arms.
 
It has been hard, very hard, but it’s my dream. My parents have worked so hard to be supportive and constantly say they don’t want me to have to work to breaking point like Dad, while still appreciating the values and work ethic it takes to get there. I was wondering if you have any words of advice for me, and does it matter if I am forced to sit still for a bit as our finances are tight?
 
Sam 

Hi Sam,
 
There’s no doubt your parents are proud of you … I am too!
 
Now let me tell you a little secret, Sam. I bought my farm so that my four kids would learn the lessons and values you’re living: hard work, resilience, and an understanding of where money (and food!) comes from.
 
Now, to your question.
 
I don’t think it matters if you’re forced to ‘sit for a bit’ if money is tight. Sometimes it’s the best thing to do, given prices have come down quite a bit (I sold some lambs the other day and got absolutely fleeced).
 
More importantly, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture either, Sam.
 
While everyone is getting excited about the future of artificial intelligence, for me a much more fundamental fact is that we need to work out a way to feed billions of people sustainably.
 
That’s where the smart money is going right now. And with your hard work, country ethics and down-to-earth nature, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t be someone who leads the industry into the future.

Scott.