Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
With Father’s Day approaching (don’t forget!), Farms.com is connecting with as many farm dads as possible to participate in a Q&A about fatherhood and sharing pieces of advice with new dads.
Nick Schultz (NS) is a dairy and cash crop producer from Fox Lake, Wis. He and his wife Jodi have two sons, 15-year-old Reece and 10-year-old Rex.
“Reece is an indoor kid, he’s very personable and likes to go thrifting and antiquing,” Schultz said. “Rex is the exact opposite. He likes to be outdoors and get dirty. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was little.”
Farms.com: Describe where you were when you found out you were going to be a dad for the first time. How did it make you feel?
NS: I can’t remember where I was, but I was definitely very excited and also very nervous. I went through the whole gamut of emotions.
Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time.
NS: It’s pure joy with excitement and fear all mixed in.
Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm dad?
NS: The flexibility that I have and teaching my children the skills that I use on the farm. And having family members be able to come ride with me and spend time with me for an hour here or there.
Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about fatherhood?
NS: Finding a good work and family balance. And that goes both ways. There are times when I’m out with the family and I know things need to be done on the farm. And there’s times when I’m working on the farm when I’d like to be out with my family.
The Schultz family (Left to right: Rex, Nick (holding Lenny), Jodi and Reece).
Farms.com: What’s a misconception about fatherhood?
NS: For me, it’s that all the diaper changes and bottle feeds are the mother’s responsibility. When we had Reece, I took the middle of the night feeds, and we’d watch episodes of MacGyver and that was our little bonding time.
Farms.com: What’s your dad’s (or father figure’s) name? What are some special memories you have with him?
NS: My father’s name is Keven. I got him deer hunting later in life and we really enjoy doing that together. And my grandfather, Russell, helped me build my first forage truck from scratch.
Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from your dad you try to teach your kids?
NS: Encourage creativity and let them learn.
Farms.com: How has fatherhood changed you?
NS: I believe it has made me more selfless.
Farms.com: What’s one thing all dads have in common no matter where they are in the world?
NS: The ability to influence the life of a child.
What’s one piece of advice you have for new dads?
NS: Be involved, have patience and be supportive.
Greg Fentie, a dairy and cash crop producer from Spingield, Ont., also participated in the Q&A.