Make Your OWN Way: One Family's Story of Breaking the Mold and Achieving Independence in American Agriculture

None of us are exempt from the difficulties that life can sometimes bring. Unforeseen and unfavorable circumstances can change our realities so significantly that our entire being is fundamentally changed forever. What we sometimes fail to understand is that this change can serve as a catalyst that can propel us to heights we never dreamed possible. When we collide with a reality that isn't fair and isn't planned, we are faced with a choice: to either be overcome by our circumstances or to move with purpose and make our own way

About the Author :
Ron Rabou owns and operates Rabou Farms, Inc. in Southeastern Wyoming. The farm is a certified organic operation and raises wheat, proso millet, garbanzo beans, lentils and yellow peas and was recently recognized as a national finalist for Top Producer of the Year by national Farm Journal Media. Rabou also speaks nationwide on various topics involving agriculture and family farm transition and is an author and past radio host. He is a member of the Cheyenne Rotary Club and a graduate of the University of Wyoming and resides on his farm near Albin, Wyoming with his wife and 3 sons.

Review :
Through a series of events that I will describe in the following chapters, I eventually came to realize in my own life that the ambitions of my ancestors did not have to also be my ambitions. I needed to find my own and shape my life based upon my own goals and desires. For many operations, the failure to communicate and properly address the issues has meant the evaporation of their existence. I know this first-hand and I've been right in the middle of it. However, the fact remains, tough choices are just that - they are tough and because they're tough, most will never step up to face the challenges that arise because of them. There is no way to predict the future and there is no way to undo the past. What we can do, however, is make the best decisions we can with the information we have at the time and continue to refine, shape and mold our lives in the pursuit of creating the life we most desire as the circumstances in our lives continue to change. The important thing to remember is to live looking forward at all times, never glancing behind wishing things were different. ...was a devastating blow to my family. It destroyed the dreams we had. It destroyed some of the relationships we once had. And it destroyed my hope in the future. It sent me to a place I never imagined possible. It created heartache and misery like I never knew...The emptiness. The loneliness. The sorrow. It seemed as if everyone else's life went back to normal. Everyone's except mine... My goal is to keep this book as real as possible so that you might understand it's okay to hurt. It's okay to be angry. It's okay to think that things aren't fair. It's okay to wish things were different. I've been there too. Too many times our self-worth is determined by what we do and what we have rather than by who we are. We measure our success without understanding and focusing on our intrinsic value as human beings. We are at a pivotal point in America where we need leaders to stand strong and to stand in the gap for what is right and for what is just. We need people who will make the right decisions, even if it's hard and even if they take a lot of criticism for it. We need leaders with strength of character, leaders with strength of mind, leaders with wisdom and non-selfish agendas, leaders who stand in the gap for those who won't or can't stand up for themselves. Stop a moment to think about why you are doing what you are doing. Then ask yourself if this is really where you want to be. Proper and well-defined structure takes the guesswork out of "what happens if...". Not deciding to change is still deciding. Experience is best gained when it is accompanied by solid mentorship, coupled with an understanding for self-discipline and constructive criticism. ...remember your legacy isn't just what you do and what you own; it's most especially who you are...