4 Things I Learned From Getting Cut From the High School Pom and Cheer Team (and how it relates to flower farming)
Did you ever have your dreams crushed in high school? Didn’t make the team? Me too! Not just once, but twice.
In my freshman and sophomore years, I tried out for the Pom and Cheer teams. Looking back, those were such vulnerable times. I was searching for acceptance and validation, and getting cut was really painful. But, as with most difficult experiences, I learned a lot along the way.
Things I Learned:
- Just because you really want something doesn’t mean it will happen.
I really wanted to be a cheerleader and a pommie. I had the enthusiasm and the drive, but that alone wasn’t enough.
- There are steps you need to take.
You have to break down your goals into actionable steps. I realized I needed to hone my technique and learn new skills, like how to dance to an 8-count. At the time, I was totally naive. My performance? Imagine I Love Lucy trying to dance. That was me.
- Hard work and experience matter.
It wasn’t enough to want it; I had to earn it. For two years, I took extra dance classes and worked with people who were much better than me. I had to learn to keep pushing myself, even when I felt discouraged.
- Timing is everything.
Whether it’s perfecting your technique or finding the right moment to shine, timing matters.
So, what does this have to do with flower farming?
From High School to Flower Farming: The Journey of Growing
As the spring season wraps up, I find myself reflecting on my high school experiences. Those early years of trying (and failing) have a lot in common with our first couple of seasons as flower farmers.
Here are some lessons we learned (and sometimes had to learn twice):
- Just because you want something, doesn’t mean it will happen.
I really wanted to open the farm for U-pick during our first growing season. And heck, I wanted to do it again this past spring. But just wishing for something doesn’t make it a reality. We weren’t ready, and that’s okay.
- There are steps to take to gain the skills you need.
Whether you’re trying out for a cheer team or trying to grow flowers, you have to learn the right skills. In farming, I worked on perfecting planting times, researching what would thrive in our climate, and fine-tuning everything from soil to irrigation.
- Hard work and experience are key.
This isn’t just about planting seeds and hoping for the best. It’s about showing up, learning from mistakes, and constantly improving. In our first season, we had beautiful sunflowers, but we were far from being ready for a full-scale U-pick operation. We still had a lot to learn.
- Timing is everything.
I can’t stress this enough. Whether it’s getting your website set up or planting at the right time, timing is crucial. I’ve learned that the hard way, especially with our deer fence.
The Deer Fence Fiasco
We had a beautiful crop of sunflowers after replanting (after the cows knocked out our first planting—click here for the full story). But, we weren’t fully prepared. I got overly optimistic. The website wasn’t ready, and crucially, our deer fence wasn’t either.
In our first year, we had some deer control with barbed wire and an electric fence, but I didn’t keep up with it. I assumed the deer wouldn’t be too much of a problem since we had some success the previous spring. I was wrong. This sophomore season, I realized that the deer were eating our crops to the ground. My bad—I didn’t repair the fence and didn’t maintain the electrical lines. Lesson learned.
Here’s where I went wrong:
- Not finishing the deer fence. I was overly optimistic and didn’t see the danger.
- Not leaving row covers on long enough. Timing was definitely off.
- Not being there full-time. I didn’t realize the deer were the real problem until it was too late.
But I did do some things right:
- Planted in November. That was a smart move.
- Used premium seed. Our Larkspur is looking great (see last year’s photo).
The High School Pom and Cheer Team, Take 2
By the time I reached junior and senior years, I made the team. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. The hard work and growth paid off. Just like I had to learn to dance in high school to make the pom team, we are now learning how to dance with Mother Nature.
We’re planting again this summer, gearing up for an early fall harvest. I’m already excited about the next round of tryouts with Mother Nature.
Final Thoughts: Grit and Growth
Some childhood experiences—like being cut from the cheer team—give you the grit you need to succeed later in life. They teach you to persevere, learn from mistakes, and keep trying until you get it right.
In the end, the lessons from high school and farming are the same: work hard, learn from your mistakes, and trust the process. And maybe, just maybe, your dreams will come true.
Next blog: What we’re planting this summer.
What do you think? Do you have a story about trying out for a team or starting something new that didn’t work out at first? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
