My grandfather started farming this land outside Lansing in the 1950s. Five generations later, we're still here. Growing up on the farm taught me a few things that stuck: you plan for the long term, you fix problems instead of complaining about them, and you show up when there's work to do.
My wife and I are raising three kids. They are the real reason I care about this work. It isn't just about "building a better future" in the abstract; it's because I want Michigan to be a great place for them to grow up. That's what drives my decisions.
There's also a useful parallel between farm work and technology work. Both require patience, both involve managing complexity, and both reward people who think systematically. I've found the habits from one translate well to the other.
