At the risk of sounding kiss-ass, the family farm shares some characteristics with Perl.

Both require a broad understanding of numerous subjects for one to be successful with them.

Each is an environment which both impacts and is impacted by it's inhabitants.

Additionally, the quality of the resultant product of each is a responsibility which is both granted by, and made challenging by, the nature of its broad capability.

Probably most notable of all, is the fact that neither would survive were it not for the communities, both directly and indirectly related, which have developed around and through them, and which exist because of them.