Country Girl Lays Down Deep Roots
She lays in the field, grass between her toes, wind blowing her brown, silky hair around in her face. Breathing in the light air, she reflects on the stillness of the wonderful life she has been blessed with.
\tFrom raising animals, to fishing and hunting … junior Maddie Faulkenburg isn’t like most teens. Rather than being glued to her phone or making TikTok videos, Faulkenberg is living life in the great outdoors every chance she gets.
\tHer days often consist of being outside and working around her farm, including, “feeding and watering the cows, goats, dogs, cats and rabbit,” she explained. “I let the dogs out to swim in the pond and run around and walk the goats on leashes and let them graze. Every once in a while, I have to help groom the dogs.”
\tOf course, it’s not all work for Faulkenberg. There are plenty of fun activities for her to do as well. “I like to fish in the pond,” she related. “My family also has hunting land and a cabin in southern Indiana where we usually just go during deer season, but we go out there before season starts to put up tree stands, trail cameras, make food plots, clear trails, and other things to prepare for season.”
\tUnfortunately, nature is not always kind to those who love it. One time, Faulkenburg was dirt biking through the woods. She was approaching a thorn bush. Her first instinct was to brake, but little did she know she pulled the wrong handlebar. Instead, she pulled the clutch, which launched her into the air landing in the dirt far from where the bike had landed. “One moment you are on the bike, and then the next you’re on the ground, not wanting to get up. But you have to persevere and keep riding,” she said.
\tAs much as she loves the country, Faulkenberg has not always lived on a farm. In fact, her dad has always lived in the city -- either in a neighborhood or an apartment. “When I’m staying with my dad, it’s nice to be close to more restaurants and shops, but I like the privacy of having our own space at my mom’s,” she noted.
\tTime spent at her mom’s house is definitely busy -- after all, it is a working farm. There are many tasks that need to be completed on a regular basis. “Other than taking care of the animals, I do some yard work, like mowing and weed eating,” Faulkenburg explained. “Then, I also have normal indoor chores, like dishes and laundry. I definitely enjoy my outside chores more; even though it’s harder work, I like to do it.”
\tThough the work is hard and the hours are long, Faulkburg wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, her upbringing has had such an impact on her that she hopes to raise her own future family in the same way. “I definitely want to raise my kids similar to how I was raised,” she said. “I think that taking care of animals teaches responsibility and is also just a lot of fun. I am proud of my hard work ethic. That’s a skill I can take anywhere.”
\tFor the moment, “anywhere” happens to be outside on the farm, where her heart and soul are happiest. “I enjoy having a view,” she said. “Just looking up at the sky makes me think of God and how thankful I am for everything I have.”
Story by Emma Moon