Farmer and teacher, Rathjes educate their kids through life on the farm

AYR, Neb. — She's an educator in the classroom. He's one on the tractor. Will and Megan Rathje both have real world lessons on the farm where they raise three kids and plenty of animals.

“Sheep, pigs, lots of cats, and chickens,” said Wyatt, 10.

It's hard to keep track of everything growing on the Rathje farm near Ayr, not to mention corn and soybeans.,

“My daytime job, my nighttime job, and my hobby all in one,” Will said with a laugh.

Will grew up farming in the area and assisted with university research plots before expanding his own operation. With three kids in three years Megan took time off to raise Makenna, Macy, and Wyatt and now spends the school year as an elementary teacher at Adams Central while summer is all about the farm.

“We spent a lot of our time our here in the morning,” said 12-year-old Makenna.

“In the mornings we take our animals and work with them and go for walks,” said Macy, age 11.

While the county fair is a highlight, Will didn't grow up in 4-H like Megan did but now sees the value.

“It definitely teaches a lot of responsibility gets them out of the house in the morning get something done, gives them some drive, something to do with their day,” he said.

Teacher Megan finds learning opportunities for her kids.

“Teaching them as a business person this is how we interact with people, dress professionally, eye contact, handshake, life skills,” she said.

And handling life when things don't go your way. It’s something Will has experienced this growing season.

“Been a rough year, lack of moisture,” he said.

Those lessons extend to their animals.

Megan said, “Every summer we learn about perseveration and patience because there’s never been a show we've gone to that went 100 percent the way we wanted it to.”

Makenna and Macy enjoy their sheep while Wyatt would rather be in the tractor. Mom is their 4-H leader and dad is on the 4-H council. They're also involved in church and sports and enjoy they're slice of the good life on the farm.

NTV’s Grow honors Will and Megan Rathje as our farm family of the month for June 2023. To recommend a family send an email to grow@nebraska.tv with a brief description.