Success in Agriculture isn’t One Size Fits All

What does success look like in the agricultural industry? And more importantly, what is “success” in the first place?

It’s a question I find myself circling back to often in my role as an Extension educator and as a young entrepreneur in my personal life. 

Success in agriculture

At Extension, I get the privilege of working with people at every level of agriculture – producers who manage thousands of acres, small-scale growers selling at local farmers market, students just beginning to explore ag careers and the many contributors and supporters who keep the entire agricultural system running.

For some, success looks like yield per acre, profit margins or expansion of land and herd. For others, it’s about sustainability – being able to pass the farm on to the next generation in better condition than when they received it. For others still, success is simply being able to make a living doing something they love, staying connected to the land and feeding their community and/or their families. 

The reality is there isn’t one single definition of success. 

Success in agriculture can be financial, environmental, educational or deeply personal. It might mean adopting a new practice to improve soil health, seeing a 4-H student discover their passion, building resilience in the face of unpredictable economies or weather systems or collaborating with others to strengthen communities.

Finding fulfillment

So maybe the better question isn’t what success looks like but rather how we pursue the version of success that truly matters to us. 

In my humble opinion, the heart of success is actually fulfillment – the sense of meaning and satisfaction that comes from doing something worthwhile. Fulfillment, like success, looks different for everyone. 

For some, it’s financial stability. For others, it’s watching a newborn calf survive a Wyoming blizzard. For others still, it’s starting an operation from scratch – goat by goat, sheep by sheep, calf by calf.

So then, how do we find fulfillment as agricultural contributors? I believe it comes down to a few key practices.

First, embrace the journey. Whether you come from a well-established operation or you’re building from the ground up, be patient with yourself. Believe in your work and your path, even when progress feels slow.

Second, practice humility and gratitude. Agriculture comes with a lot of well-earned pride, but it also demands humility. Celebrate the small victories as much as the big ones, and never lose sight of the simple blessings – family, community and connection to the land itself.

Third, find peace in your own path. Comparison can be a dangerous trap. Spend too much time measuring yourself against others and it begins to drain your energy, your health and your joy. Growth happens when we learn to value where we are, while still striving for where we want to go.

In the end, success in agriculture isn’t a trophy, a number or even a destination. It’s fulfillment found in the day-to-day work, the relationships we build and the resilience we carry forward. 

Perhaps this is what makes agriculture so special – success isn’t one-size-fits-all, but instead as unique and enduring as the people who live it.

Brenna Litynski is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Albany County. She can be reached at blitynsk@uwyo.edu or 307-721-2571.