Vocation of the Agricultural Leader: Leading the Way 10 Years Later

My kids are back to school, which for them, includes Latin studies. One of the more interesting aspects of learning Latin is the discovery of Latin derivatives, or all the ways Latin shows up in our everyday English words. For example, the word “vocation” comes from the Latin word “vocare,” which means “to call.”

This issue of Catholic Rural Life is dedicated to the calling to be leaders that farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers experience in their fields. Specifically, this issue marks the 10-year anniversary of CRL’s document, Vocation of the Agricultural Leader, which looked at the responsibility of agricultural workers in the face of modern challenges. It states: “Farmers and ranchers and all those who are associated with agricultural production are called to carry out their work with larger questions of human dignity and the common good in mind. However, given the complexities of agriculture in an era of unprecedented  globalization, technology, and industrialization, understanding one’s relation — and duty — to others, God, and the environment can be a burdensome task.”

So what is a faithful agricultural worker to do in the face of a changing world? While there is no clear-cut answer, we hope that the stories in this issue provide you with some inspiration. You’llread about an Iowa dairy farmer who uses social media to dispel misconceptions about the dairy industry, as well as two Minnesota farmers who are leading the way as female farmers. This issue also includes reflections on some of the temptations facing farmers in the technological age and a call to examine where our food comes from. Whether we are producers or consumers, may we pause for a moment to examine where the Lord is calling us to lead the way.