Kesley's Corral: "A Routine Day"

Everybody has a certain routine they follow. Think of your own routine in the morning it probably follows the same criteria pretty closely every day. Does it consist of waking up and doing chores then showering, brushing your teeth, doing your hair, and eating some breakfast? That is my routine every morning and for the most part it has gone in that order my whole life. Routines however do not just happen in the morning some people's routine may consist of going out for ice cream every Friday night or ordering their favorite pizza on Sunday night. Either way no matter what you do or how you do it, you can conclude that it is an important part of your lifestyle that is always consistent.

Farmers have a lot of routines that they follow which does not surprise me for one of my dad’s favorite lines is “change is bad!” Every morning a farmer follows a certain special routine that they have followed for ages. Some farmers and you know the ones I’m talking about can be found at their local gas stations or feed stores with their buddies drinking coffee every morning and talking about all the town’s local gossip that also consists of “who’s in the field?” or “anybody got corn up?” followed up with “how much rain did you get?”

Messing with someone's daily routine and you can really screw up their entire system. One day last harvest my sleep-deprived dad forgot to shave that morning and he looked like a homeless person by late afternoon. His messed up routine had his whole day off kilter. My grandparents have gone for breakfast to the same restaurant each morning for as long as I can remember. It’s simply how they start their day. It recently closed and I think they are still in denial. Change is sometimes not expected and can mess up your plans.

Routines serve as the building blocks for a successful day. It’s a tool and like all tools on the farm it can easily get lost in the shop or left in the field but yet there will always be something to substitute it. Farmers and change are never desirable but farmers are also creative and come up with some great replacements. I’ve seen my mom fix equipment in the field without any tools. Ask her sometime about cutting bale wrap with her wedding ring.

With the weather we’ve had this spring most of our routines have changed unwillingly. All the talk about the small percentage of crops planted and planting dates being the latest in years. Things are off kilter for farmers but I know it will work it out eventually. Maybe this crazy weather will hopefully bring up the markets or help bring another change for the better. Farmers are survivors as routines deviate from the original plan. Let’s hope June brings sunshine and dry weather! ~ Kesley Holdgrafer