In a world that often values stability and predictability over creativity and autonomy, the idea of building a career on your own terms can seem like a distant dream. Yet, what if the key to truly loving your work lies not in finding your passion, but in gaining control over it? The concept of control—having the power to dictate what you do, how you do it, and when you do it—is more than just a luxury; it’s a critical component of building a fulfilling and meaningful career. This article explores how taking control of your work, like Ryan and Sarah Voiland did with Red Fire Farm, can transform your job into a source of deep satisfaction and purpose. Rather than chasing a fleeting passion, control allows you to craft your dream job from the ground up.
The Mysterious Red Fire Appeal
Ryan Voiland’s decision to buy farmland right after graduating from an Ivy League college in 2000 stands as a stark contrast to the typical path taken by his peers. At a time when many of his classmates were heading to high-paying corporate jobs in banking or management consulting, Ryan chose to buy farmland in Granby, Massachusetts. This wasn’t a move driven by wealth or status, but rather by a desire to pursue something radically different—something more fulfilling, yet far from guaranteed. Granby, a small town with just 6,000 residents, didn’t have the allure of big city living. The soil in this region wasn’t as rich as the famous valley soil near the Connecticut River, but Ryan saw potential in this neglected, unassuming farmland.
The initial idea wasn’t to embark on a grand farming enterprise, but rather to simply engage with the land and try his hand at organic farming. Ryan didn’t have a farming background—he wasn’t from a family of farmers, and his knowledge was limited. However, he had an entrepreneurial spirit that had been cultivated since childhood. Ryan had always been interested in business, and as a kid, he dabbled in small ventures, from selling wild blueberries to running a paper route. The same entrepreneurial drive that had pushed him into these early ventures would propel him into farming, albeit in a way few could have predicted.
Red Fire Farm was born out of a sense of adventure and a willingness to work hard. It started as a small-scale farming project, but with Ryan’s persistence, it blossomed into something much larger. By 2011, Red Fire Farm had grown to 70 acres of organic crops, and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program had become a major success. Through CSA, local subscribers paid upfront for a share of the season’s harvest, receiving fresh produce every week throughout the growing season. This model not only allowed Red Fire Farm to thrive but also created a community of people who deeply valued the farm’s organic produce.
While Ryan’s business success was evident, it was the lifestyle he had created that was so captivating. The farm had attracted not just local customers but people from all walks of life, including those who had never met Ryan and Sarah. The farm’s charm extended beyond just the produce—it embodied a way of life that many people fantasized about: living in harmony with the land, making decisions independently, and working with your hands in the open air, far away from the corporate rat race. The pull of this lifestyle became almost magnetic for many.
For those who feel confined by their urban office jobs, the idea of stepping away from the chaotic, technology-driven world to find peace in nature seems like a solution to a deeper yearning. The romanticism of the farm life appeals to many who long for autonomy. But what exactly about Ryan and Sarah’s life was so magnetic? It wasn’t just their success in farming—it was the control they had over their lives. The farm provided them not only with a livelihood but with the ability to structure their days and work in a way that aligned with their values. The essence of the Red Fire Farm appeal, at its core, was the autonomy Ryan and Sarah had gained—the freedom to decide how they worked, what they grew, and how they engaged with their community.
For anyone dreaming of a life away from the corporate grind, the notion of farming or starting a business in a rural area may seem like a dream come true. But the key to understanding the allure of Red Fire Farm lies not just in the picturesque imagery of rolling fields or the satisfaction of working outdoors; it is in the deeper appeal of control—control over one’s work, environment, and ultimately, the way one chooses to live. This drive for autonomy, to live life on one’s own terms, is what makes Red Fire so alluring and is a universal truth that transcends farming itself. The lifestyle that Ryan and Sarah cultivated was one of independence, self-reliance, and freedom—a life where the choices made every day were their own, not dictated by others.
Cracking the Red Fire Code
To truly understand why the Red Fire lifestyle holds such an irresistible appeal, it’s essential to look at how Ryan and Sarah got to where they are today. Their journey into farming wasn’t an impulsive decision or a result of following a childhood dream—it was a carefully considered, years-long evolution driven by hard work, learning, and the accumulation of valuable career capital.
Ryan’s story began long before he bought his first piece of land in Granby. Growing up in the small town of Granby, Ryan had no formal exposure to farming. His family wasn’t involved in agriculture, and his early experiences were typical of many kids—he worked on odd jobs, including a paper route and various small entrepreneurial schemes to make extra spending money. His first real foray into farming began when he started selling wild blueberries. What began as a small venture—a roadside stand selling wild blueberries—was the spark that ignited his future career.
From this simple start, Ryan quickly realized that farming could be a legitimate way to make a living, even if it was an unconventional choice for someone with his background. By high school, Ryan was renting land from a local farmer to grow produce, including vegetables that he sold at a farmers market. At the same time, he began investing in farming equipment, such as an old tractor, which he financed through a loan from the Massachusetts Farm Services Agency. This was a crucial turning point—Ryan wasn’t just playing around with farming; he was treating it as a business and was determined to make it successful.
Ryan didn’t stop there. He continued to expand his knowledge and skillset. After high school, he enrolled in Cornell University’s agriculture program to gain a formal education in horticulture, particularly focusing on fruits and vegetables. Even while at college, Ryan continued to farm, coming home on weekends to manage his rented fields. By the time he was ready to graduate, he had already accumulated over five years of practical experience, and his farming operation had grown substantially.
But here’s where Ryan’s story differs from the typical narrative of following one’s passion. He didn’t simply wake up one day and feel a burning passion for farming. Instead, his passion grew over time, alongside his expertise and experience. The more he learned about farming, the more he found himself fascinated by the complexities of it. He poured over books, learned from experienced farmers, and continuously improved his skills. The passion for farming that many people believe is necessary to start a successful career wasn’t the starting point for Ryan—it was the result of years of acquiring career capital.
By the time Ryan made the decision to purchase his own land in 2001, he had already been working toward it for nearly a decade. His years of hard work, learning, and building up his farming expertise gave him the confidence to take the next step—buying land and starting Red Fire Farm. It wasn’t a hasty decision, nor was it driven by a singular passion for farming. Instead, it was the culmination of years of building up knowledge and practical experience—career capital—that allowed him to make a well-informed, calculated leap into full-time farming. This gradual acquisition of career capital enabled Ryan to take control of his work and his future, something that wouldn’t have been possible had he rushed into farming without the necessary skills and knowledge.
Ryan’s path to farming is a perfect example of the craftsman mindset at work. It’s not about blindly following a passion—it’s about focusing on building expertise and becoming excellent at something rare and valuable. As Ryan’s story demonstrates, acquiring career capital is the crucial first step to gaining control over what you do and how you do it. Through this process, Ryan was able to carve out a career that he loved, not because he stumbled upon a pre-existing passion but because he worked diligently to develop the expertise needed to thrive in a challenging and rewarding field.
The Power of Control
One of the key elements that makes the Red Fire Farm lifestyle so compelling is the significant amount of control that Ryan and Sarah have over their work. While farming is undoubtedly hard and physically demanding, the couple has structured their business in a way that allows them to call the shots. They make decisions about what crops to grow, how to grow them, and even how to manage the day-to-day operations of the farm. The freedom to shape their working lives, free from the demands of an external employer or a rigid corporate structure, is central to the appeal of their way of life.
Control doesn’t simply equate to autonomy over work tasks—it also extends to their environment and overall lifestyle. Ryan and Sarah’s decision to invest in organic farming was born out of a personal belief in sustainable practices, and it allowed them to operate a business that aligned with their values. This kind of self-determined work is rare, especially for those in more traditional fields, where company policies, rigid hierarchies, and external pressures often limit personal freedom. At Red Fire Farm, every choice they make—from the crops they grow to the events they host for their community—is theirs to control. This autonomy isn’t just about setting their own hours or deciding how they operate; it’s about aligning their work with their personal philosophy and taking pride in the results.
The concept of control as an essential component of job satisfaction is not unique to farming—it is a widely researched and validated idea across industries. In Daniel Pink’s book Drive, he highlights decades of research demonstrating that control is one of the most important motivators for individuals in the workplace. Pink argues that people thrive when they have the autonomy to make decisions, set their own schedules, and take ownership of their tasks. This level of control is far more motivating than external rewards, such as money or recognition, because it taps into our intrinsic motivation.
The results of studies exploring the link between control and productivity are significant. For example, one study, mentioned in Drive, examined small businesses that granted employees more control over their work. The businesses that implemented control-based strategies grew at four times the rate of those that didn’t. In another study, middle school teachers who were given more control over their classrooms saw a significant improvement in both their job satisfaction and their students’ academic performance. These findings suggest that when people have the power to influence their work environment, they experience greater happiness, fulfillment, and productivity.
In more forward-thinking workplaces, the concept of control is being taken to the next level through practices like the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE). In ROWE workplaces, employees are evaluated solely on their results, not on when or how they accomplish their tasks. This philosophy empowers individuals to work in ways that suit their personal preferences, whether that means working remotely, setting their own hours, or taking time off when needed. ROWE environments have been shown to increase employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and boost performance—because people are trusted to manage their own time and responsibilities.
What’s clear from these examples is that control is a powerful driver of motivation and success. When Ryan and Sarah built Red Fire Farm, they were creating not just a business, but a lifestyle that was based on the principle of control. The ability to make decisions, adjust their operations as needed, and align their work with their values gave them a deep sense of satisfaction. The same principle applies to anyone seeking a career they love—by taking control over what you do, how you do it, and the environment in which you do it, you can create a more meaningful and fulfilling work life.
Creating Your Dream Job Through Control
Ryan and Sarah’s story serves as a potent reminder that to truly love your work, you must first acquire career capital—skills and expertise that make you valuable in your chosen field. But the next step, which is just as critical, is learning how to use that career capital to gain control over your work. Without control, even the most successful career can feel limiting or unfulfilling. It’s the combination of expertise and autonomy that makes work truly meaningful.
When Ryan started farming, his initial motivation wasn’t a pre-existing passion for the land; it was a practical decision to create a sustainable livelihood. Over time, as he developed his skills and knowledge, his passion for farming grew naturally from his expertise. This is a key principle: your career doesn’t have to be about finding a passion and chasing it—it’s about developing expertise and seeing where that expertise takes you. Through years of hard work and learning, Ryan was able to take control of his career and shape it into something he loved.
For anyone looking to create their dream job, the first step is acquiring the career capital needed to excel. Whether you’re in a corporate job, running your own business, or pursuing an artistic career, the process of becoming excellent at something is universal. But once you’ve built your expertise, the next step is to leverage it for control. This can mean setting your own hours, deciding on the projects you work on, or even shaping the direction of your career. The more control you have, the more fulfilling your work will feel.
One of the most significant benefits of control is that it allows you to align your career with your values. For Ryan and Sarah, this meant investing in organic farming, a practice that reflected their beliefs about sustainability and community. But control doesn’t just involve philosophical alignment—it also means creating the flexibility to adapt when life changes. Control allows for a work-life balance that suits your personal life, something that is increasingly difficult to achieve in jobs with rigid schedules and expectations.
In many ways, control is the antidote to burnout. By taking ownership of your work, you’re not just following instructions—you’re charting your own course. Whether that means working remotely, pursuing side projects, or collaborating with others in ways that feel rewarding, the more control you have, the more likely you are to enjoy your work. This is why control is often a defining characteristic of people who love what they do.
Moreover, gaining control doesn’t require drastic changes; it can happen in small steps. Perhaps it starts with negotiating flexible work hours or seeking out projects that align more with your interests. The key is to start small, build your expertise, and gradually take control over the aspects of your job that matter most to you. As you gain more control, your satisfaction and fulfillment with your work will naturally increase.
In conclusion, creating your dream job is not just about finding your passion—it’s about acquiring the skills and experience that make you valuable and then using those assets to gain control over your work. As Ryan and Sarah have shown, control is a powerful tool in creating a career that brings both success and fulfillment. Whether you’re a farmer or an entrepreneur, the ability to shape your own path and make decisions that align with your values is a crucial element of any meaningful career. Control is, indeed, the dream-job elixir that can transform work from a routine task to a deeply satisfying experience.
Conclusion: Cultivating Autonomy and Control at Work
At the heart of every truly fulfilling career is the ability to control your work—your decisions, your environment, and your lifestyle. As demonstrated by Ryan and Sarah’s journey with Red Fire Farm, the combination of career capital and autonomy can turn a humble farm into a thriving, meaningful business. Control doesn’t just make you more productive; it aligns your work with your values, offering a sense of ownership and purpose that’s hard to find in more rigid, traditional job structures. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or an employee, taking control over your career is the ultimate way to create work you love. So, start by building your expertise, and as you gain the necessary career capital, invest it in gaining control—because when you control what you do, you truly create the career of your dreams.