I’m Not a Farmer, I’m Just a Gardener! I hear people say this all the time. The difference between a farmer and a gardener isn’t always about how much land you work or how many animals you raise. To me, it’s really a question of purpose. 

If your reason for growing food—whether in a small backyard plot or on rolling acres—is to nourish yourself, your family, or your community, then in my eyes you are already farming. Gardening and farming both start with the same seed: the desire to grow and to give. 

For me and my family, the word farmer carries deep weight. It isn’t just an occupation; it’s a calling, a livelihood, and in many ways, our identity. We’ve felt both the joys and the heartbreaks of farming. We know it demands devotion—a daily rhythm of giving to the land while carefully taking from it. Farmers walk that fine line of balance: always learning, always listening, always striving to leave the soil healthier than they found it. 

That’s why I believe farmers are lifelong students. Even after 30 years, the land will humble you with new lessons. And yet, farmers keep showing up. They keep nurturing the soil, caring for the animals, and investing their love and sweat into something bigger than themselves. 

It’s also why, even after long weeks of 60+ hours, you’ll still find us outside at sunrise or on a Saturday afternoon, planting, pruning, or mending fences. At the start of the season, Dad, my daughter, her friends, and I planted our fall garden together. We laughed, told stories, and tried (with limited success) to keep the chickens from scratching up our seeds. Those simple moments reminded me: farming and gardening both build more than food—they build community. 

So, should the words “farmer” and “gardener” be used interchangeably? Sometimes I think so. It’s not about scale—it’s about spirit. If you’re growing with care, respecting the land, and nourishing others through your labor, you’re farming. The title “farmer” belongs to you. 

Something To Think About 

Here’s a question I’ll leave you with: Have you ever heard of a farm number? Should you get one, even if you only consider yourself a gardener? It’s worth exploring, because recognizing yourself as a farmer may open doors to opportunities, resources, and programs you didn’t know you had access to. 

Curious about where you fall on this spectrum—or whether a farm number might be right for you? Let’s talk. Schedule a meeting with a Ballew Farms consultant today, and let’s dig into your why.