“The farmer and the cowman should be friends. One man likes to push a plough, the other likes to chase a cow, but that’s no reason why they can’t be friends, ” Rodgers and Hammerstein stated in their 1966 movie, “Oklahoma.”

Is there really a difference between a farmer and a rancher? They both grow food, whether that be for animals or for the community, and both contribute to the agricultural world. 

Since last year, the heated debate about farmers vs ranchers has been in the ag classroom. Some students categorize farmers and ranchers as the same thing, while others really don’t. So could farmers and ranchers possibly be the same thing?

“Those two categories can’t be put together, but in my opinion, they can be the same thing around here,” junior Tucker Reynolds said. “I know plenty of people who do both. In my opinion, typically farmers tend to be more field and plant oriented while ranchers tend to be more livestock oriented.”

At PHS, many students relate to this topic because they either grew up on a farm or a ranch. Some even have experience with both.

“I have grown up with both lives,” Reynolds said.” I think that with ranching, you know individual livestock. They can teach you how to be responsible, among other things. Farming also teaches you to be thorough with everything that we do, because if you make a mistake, it can cost a lot.”

While Reynolds speaks for both perspectives, some have different views. Senior Logan Burdura explains how they could be practically the same idea.

“They [farming and ranching] can completely be the same thing because there is no difference, there’s no difference at all,” Budura said. “If you have to explain it, people say it’s based on what they say because a farmer will sell mainly crops, and a rancher will sell mainly animal products like meat.”

Is there really a difference between the two? Farmers are closely connected to plants while ranchers rely on their livestock to produce profit. 

“I’m a farmer and a rancher. I sell both, so what am I?” Budura said. “They’re basically the same thing. It’s just some sell a little differently.”

Even though some people would say that they are both a farmer and a rancher, people still have their opinions. Debate will forever remain in this agricultural town of Powell, WY.