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Hobbies Outside Farming

For many farmers the farm is work, home, family and identity all at once. A hobby that has nothing to do with the farm can feel like a luxury.

Why does a hobby matter?

When every part of life is the farm, a bad season or an argument can feel like it takes over everything. A separate interest gives the mind somewhere else to rest and gives you something that is yours. People with several sources of meaning tend to cope better when one of them is under strain.

If you feel low or overwhelmed, in the US you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and in an emergency call 911. A hobby is a support, not a substitute for care.

Think of the hobby as a second anchor: if one gets rocky, the other helps hold you steady.

What counts as a hobby?

Anything you do mainly because you enjoy it. Fishing, woodworking, music, reading, cooking, gardening for pleasure, restoring an old vehicle, sports, crafts, volunteering or learning something new all count. It does not need to be impressive or productive. Some people enjoy things that are completely unlike farm work, while others like a related craft. Either is fine.

Avoid turning it into another job. If a hobby starts to feel like a duty or a way to earn money, you may need something more purely enjoyable alongside it.

• Something with your hands or your mind that is not the farm
• Something with other people, or something solitary, whichever you need
• Something you can do in short pieces during a busy season
• Something you choose, not something you feel you should do

How do you find the time?

Start small. A single hour a week is enough to begin. Put it on the calendar the way you would a repair or a vet visit, and ask family to protect it. Share the time with others if possible, such as by trading a weekly chore with a neighbor.

Be realistic about the busiest seasons. Keep a smaller version going, such as ten minutes with an instrument or a book, so that you can return to the larger version afterward.

Find a hobby partner or group if you are tempted to skip it. Having someone who expects you makes the habit stick.

What if you feel guilty about taking time?

Many farmers feel that time not working is time wasted. Try thinking of it the other way: rested, balanced people make safer decisions and last longer in the work. A break supports the farm. Tell the people close to you that the time is important to you, so that they can help protect it.

Talk with your family about it. Often they have been hoping you will take time for yourself and will gladly help make space.

If you are the person everyone depends on, a hobby also models something important for children: that taking care of yourself is part of taking care of others.

Can hobbies be shared?

Yes. Hobbies can bring people together across ages, such as fishing with a grandchild, cooking with a partner, or joining a local band, club or church group. In rural areas where people are spread out, community groups, libraries and extension programs often organize activities. Ask what is nearby.

Intergenerational activities can build bonds that help with succession and communication in the family.

How does this connect to safety?

Mental breaks reduce fatigue and irritation, which affect attention around equipment and animals. People with outside interests and connection are also more likely to have someone notice when they are struggling.

Make sure hobbies themselves are safe. Follow instructions and use proper protective equipment for tools and activities; check manufacturer guidance and ask experienced instructors.

A hobby also gives you a topic of conversation outside farm worries, which can ease family tension.

Where can you start?

Think back to something you used to enjoy, or ask a friend what they would try. Libraries, community colleges, extension offices and local clubs often have low-cost or free options. If low mood makes it hard to start anything, mention it to a doctor or call 988; that difficulty is common and treatable. Ask friends what they do.

Keep it flexible. Interests change over time, and trying several is part of finding the right one.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.