Meet West Tennessee Farmer Brenda Baker

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Photo credit: Michael D. Tedesco

What do you love about farming?

I enjoy being involved in nature. I love to get in the soil and watch something grow. We’ve changed our farming operation from plowing and disking, like when we first started, to conservation tillage and no till. One thing I miss the most is the smell of the earth freshly turned over when they’re plowing. I know it’s better for the ground not to plow, but there’s something about that fresh smell and watching something grow from it. I also like going with Sam when he checks on the farm. I loved when we had chickens, hogs and cattle because I would check the chickens and pull calves, the whole nine yards. Even though it’s hard work, I love the whole process.

See more: Meet East Tennessee Farmer Cathy Cambell

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What does farming with your family mean to you?

We’re lucky because we’re so involved with each other. It’s not like everyone has their own job and we get together once a week or once a month – we’re involved with each other daily. Sam’s brother will come eat lunch with us. I’ve always cooked and fed whoever is close. We’re all so much closer because of the farm.

What is your greatest blessing?

Family. We have a big family – four children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild – and everyone is healthy and happy. I also count my church family and Farm Bureau family as some of my greatest blessings.

See more: Meet West Tennessee Farmer Todd Littleton

What does Farm Bureau mean to you?

I consider Farm Bureau an extended part of our family. I got involved in Farm Bureau and, to use a quote from the American Farm Bureau President, Zippy Duvall, it got me outside my fencerows. I was a stay-at-home mom and pretty confined to the farm until I got involved with Farm Bureau. That’s when I stepped out and got involved with the public library and county fair. Farm Bureau helped me grow and gave me the skills to be more comfortable stepping into a larger role in my community. I love serving on the Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee. I have made wonderful friends who I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise.

Are you Farm Bureau Proud?

I am definitely Farm Bureau Proud. I couldn’t imagine farming right now without the organization. Farm Bureau has such wonderful people. They’re willing to help each other, talk about problems and just be there as a resource. I couldn’t imagine our lives right now without Farm Bureau.

– Hannah Nave

Meet Brenda Baker

Farm Family: Brenda farms with her husband, Sam, brother-in-law, O’Neal, and son, Robbie.

Crops: 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans

Generation: 10th

Location: Obion, Tennessee

Farm Bureau Membership: 55 years

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