I know many of you have often heard me speak of farm families when referencing the agriculture industry in general.

That family unit is so important to the success of each of our farms and many times those household members also included non-blood relatives such as farm workers or nearby neighbors all of whom pitch in when there is work to be done. And on the farm, that is nearly all the time.

In addition to the normal activities that come with every summer’s growing season, many farm families also participate in livestock showing mostly for the young folks, but there are plenty of opportunities for us not-so-young folks, as well.

Regardless of age or what kind of animals are being shown, these livestock shows are as much of a tradition on the farm as raising a crop.

Having had the opportunity to participate in many of them in my working career as well as being a parent of a child involved, it never ceases to amaze me the comradery that develops between "barn" family members as they attend many of the same events vying for the same top prize.

Participants learn early in their “careers” how to work together from setting up for the show, preparing for their main events, or loading up to go home. They may compete in the show ring, but they are also developing friendships that will last throughout their lives.

I believe, and have seen, bonds develop between many of these barn families that are as strong as any family that one is born into.  

As for my family, we show American Saddlebreds and recently participated in our first event of the season. It just so happened it fell just before my birthday. After one of our classes, as I headed from the show ring back to our stalls, someone called my name to help with a chore.

As I made my way in their direction, my barn family, along with others, gifted me with a surprise birthday party. It was really my wife’s doing since I had mentioned once that I had never had a surprise birthday party.

You can't imagine how happy it made me to see all those folks there gathered around the birthday cake full of hugs and well-wishes.

It made me realize something I already knew: You don’t have to have the same DNA to be a part of a loving family.

I instantly remembered so many of the barn families I have seen and visited with over the years, all having similar experiences be it a celebration of some sort or just being together.

It doesn’t matter whether you live on a farm or not, or show livestock or not, we can experience that expanded family feeling simply by being together, caring for each other, and helping out in times of need, as we travel down the backroads.