5 Important Things to Remember During Crisis

The corona virus will effect agriculture at some point. My fear is that it will effect our already troubled H2A and H2B programs that helps to get vital migrant workforce onto our farms. Weather this specific situation affects you or not, here are some important things to remember as we navigate crisis and hard times.

Here are a few things to remember during these uncertain times of crisis.

1. Remember that for the most part, everyone is doing the best they can with the information and circumstances they have at that time. It is really easy to get frustrated with other people, but if we can remember that everyone is doing their best, it helps us to take a step back and show people some grace.

One thing that I like to do when I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated is to ground myself by anchoring. This means I use a prayer, song, a bible verse, or an image (I like to just look up at the vast expanse of the sky to remind myself that everything will be okay, this too shall pass, and that this is just one tiny hiccup in this great big world we live in) to bring myself back to reality and calm down.

2. Focus on things you can control. We tend to get all worked up about the commodity prices, the government, and things happening in the outside word, things like COVID 19 and we forget that we really only have control over ourselves and our operation. If we focus on these things, then we feel more in control and feel more at peace.

3. Daily Gratitude Practice or Journal. If you need the how-to guide just visit www.micultivatebalance.com/tools. As for journaling, these are uncertain times and looking back at a first hand account of the things that are happening, what we are doing, and how we are getting through this unprecedented time will be very interesting to look back on.

4. Have fun! Make an effort to laugh and bring joy onto your farm every day. Learn a new joke, play a game, watch a funny video. Laughter really is the best medicine and if you never lighten up and enjoy a little comic relief then you are doing it wrong (just kidding, haha it's a joke).

5. Be open to new ideas and pivot if you need to. When you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's easy to get frustrated and give up. Don't give up, be innovative, try new things, and pivot if you have to.