I don’t know about you but March 9th just became one of my new favorite days. March 9th is National Napping Day! This day was created on the day after the return of Daylight Savings Time and it is supposed to give people an opportunity to catch up on the hour of sleep they lost. I honestly wish this day was everyday because I love myself a good nap. I can sleep just about anywhere; you can even find me passed out in the super uncomfortable buddy seat of a tractor riding along with a brother or my dad. And I know I am not the only one who loves naps. Farmers love them too.
Most farmers are up bright and early working and often up late at night still doing chores, so they love to get in a good nap whenever they can especially now before crazy spring hours begin. Sometimes farmers get in a quick nap after their daily morning chores. They come in to get warmed up saying they will go back out in five minutes, but soon they are passed out on the couch snoring away. Before they know it they have been asleep for over an hour past the time they wanted to go back out. They can even catch a quick nap while sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper. We think he is reading until his snore gives him away. I am more of a recliner or couch napper, preferably with a cozy blanket to snuggle with. My Dad designed our house specifically for warm winter naps as the sun shines in our large living room windows to the south and west. When Dad is soaking up the warm sunshine rays just like a newborn calf tucked up tight in the sun on the southside of the barn.
As we all spring forward next week, I hope you also get a chance to celebrate National Napping Day on March 9th. Just remember to brush your bedhead and wipe the slobber from your chin before heading back out to work!
~ Kesley Holdgrafer
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
National FFA Week
February is known around the world as the month of love. It only makes sense to celebrate National FFA Week during the month of love because I love this organization! National FFA Week will take place STARTING TOMORROW from February 22nd to the 29th. Every year, the National FFA Organization celebrates FFA Week during the week of George Washington’s birthday, February 22, in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturalist. FFA members organize activities that raise awareness not only about the National FFA Organization, but also the role agriculture plays in student’s lives.
Members across the country are preparing for this epic week. There are 700,170 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the week, FFA members are able to educate and show surrounding
community members, family, and friends about their success through activities. Some chapters will bring in pies and sweets for teachers and staff to show their appreciation for always letting them out for FFA activities. Also dress up days are a must and you can catch all FFA kids wearing FFA shirts, flannels, and official dress throughout the week. One huge fan favorite though is drive your tractor to school. All year you can hear FFA members talk about which tractor they are going to drive to school while the kids with cabless tractors pray it doesn’t snow.
FFA is an amazing organization that helps students develop premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. This week helps people recognize this organization and the amazing people in it. So if you see an FFA member driving their tractor to school this week, just be patient and give them a smile and a farmer wave.
Members across the country are preparing for this epic week. There are 700,170 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the week, FFA members are able to educate and show surrounding
community members, family, and friends about their success through activities. Some chapters will bring in pies and sweets for teachers and staff to show their appreciation for always letting them out for FFA activities. Also dress up days are a must and you can catch all FFA kids wearing FFA shirts, flannels, and official dress throughout the week. One huge fan favorite though is drive your tractor to school. All year you can hear FFA members talk about which tractor they are going to drive to school while the kids with cabless tractors pray it doesn’t snow.
FFA is an amazing organization that helps students develop premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. This week helps people recognize this organization and the amazing people in it. So if you see an FFA member driving their tractor to school this week, just be patient and give them a smile and a farmer wave.
- Kesley Holdgrafer
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Valentine's Day
My favorite holiday is approaching and I couldn’t be more excited! As most of you know Valentine's Day is on February 14th and it is also known as my birthday. For most people, this Hallmark holiday is dreadful and expensive. You can see people buying a lot of things for their loved ones from chocolates and flowers to even huge overly stuffed bears. In the United States, the total spending for the holiday is expected to top $18.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. That's an average of $136.57 per person. That honestly just sounds crazy to me! I know for a fact that my dad and many other frugal farmers are not spending that much on flowers and chocolates for their loved ones, and definitely not on a piece of jewelry either! They also probably for the most part do not even know when Valentine’s Day is.
However, you can find farmers outside showing their love to their animals, not just on Valentine's Day but all year round. Seriously nothing can truly compare to the love a farmer has for the animals he raises. They would rather be out in the yard taking care of those animals then on a beach for vacation. No matter whether it’s snowing, freezing rain, or even hot and humid, you can find a farmer outside caregiving to his animals on any given day. It’s that passion and love for their occupation that is simply humbling to watch.
I think I might have mentioned last year that my mom once received a new manure spreader for Valentine’s Day as Dad said he was spreading the love all year long with it. Mom was happy if dad was happy, and of course the cattle were happy with clean yards. Mom also says her best Valentine’s gift was me, finally a gift Dad couldn’t pick out! Enjoy your Valentine’s Day whether it includes some sweet chocolate, a night out for dinner, or some silly shiny new manure spreader. I look forward to my year 17 as the best is yet to come!
~ Kesley Holdgrafer
Monday, February 3, 2020
Send a Card
It’s 2020 and the latest technology surrounds the world we live in today. As the newest technology continues to improve daily, in a blink of an eye everything has changed. However, try to think back to the last time you got an actual card with a letter in the mail. Not the type of letter from a holiday greeting or a card from a Hallmark Holiday but a real letter that actually asks how you are and what you are up to? In today’s world, we can do almost everything through technology. Why send a card when we can call, text, send emails, or FaceTime to get replies much quicker than snail mail. However, a card or a letter simply out of the blue can make someone feel extra special and they are more memorable and personable than a text. February 7th is National Send a Card to your Friend Day and I hope you will join me in celebrating it.
A small gesture that we may not think makes any difference could actually make our friends day. It only takes a small amount of time to send a fun card with a short personal message. It doesn’t need to be a store-bought card, it can be a handmade one. Even simply sending a postcard to a friend is more fun than receiving junk mail, political advertisements, or bills. It’s small, simple and to the point, but still a sweet gesture.
With all of the latest technology in the world, the art of penmanship and letter writing has begun to fade, all it takes is a cute little card with a nice personal message in it to put a smile on someone’s face. Everyone loves a handwritten note, but if you can’t do that, send them an e-card or even an email. No one will judge you as long as they hear from you.
Whatever you do, don’t miss out on celebrating your friendships on this special day. If possible, set aside a few minutes to write a personal greeting to a friend, preferably in your own handwriting. Celebrate National Send a Card to your Friend Day on Feb. 7th. I’ve already got my stamps bought!
A small gesture that we may not think makes any difference could actually make our friends day. It only takes a small amount of time to send a fun card with a short personal message. It doesn’t need to be a store-bought card, it can be a handmade one. Even simply sending a postcard to a friend is more fun than receiving junk mail, political advertisements, or bills. It’s small, simple and to the point, but still a sweet gesture.
With all of the latest technology in the world, the art of penmanship and letter writing has begun to fade, all it takes is a cute little card with a nice personal message in it to put a smile on someone’s face. Everyone loves a handwritten note, but if you can’t do that, send them an e-card or even an email. No one will judge you as long as they hear from you.
Whatever you do, don’t miss out on celebrating your friendships on this special day. If possible, set aside a few minutes to write a personal greeting to a friend, preferably in your own handwriting. Celebrate National Send a Card to your Friend Day on Feb. 7th. I’ve already got my stamps bought!
- Kesley Holdgrafer
Banquet Season
Snow and ice are covering the ground keeping farmers busy. While some town people might be snowed in that doesn’t give farmers the day off, it usually just gives them even more jobs. You can find them outside in the freezing cold pushing snow, scooping bunks, spreading lime around the icy yards and unfreezing waters. However, when all the work is caught up you can find them enjoying various commodity banquets this time of year. January is the beginning of banquet season to celebrate many great things accomplished in the previous year and it also includes an amazing free meal and great free door prizes with your annual dues paid up to date so of course you find many farmers in attendance.
The local banquets are the social event of the week and a great way to catch up with many friends and neighbors. We all know farmers, and I personally have first-hand experience that they can talk farm talk about anything for hours. Farmers may not admit it but they actually love going to these events. They love to help raise money for each organization as they excitedly bid on live auction items. I am always amazed at the amount of money raised at these events in a very short time with a quick auction following the meeting. I am always impressed with the neat auction items made and donated to the cause. Most proceeds go towards scholarships for area seniors or simply supporting the local commodity industry. Some farmers, like my dad, might even get so excited about attending the banquet that they forget to grab their checkbook off the counter before leaving home. However, they don’t realize that they don’t have a check with them until after they bought their new prize possession from the banquet auction. Luckily enough their teenage daughter still had her bright neon softball checkbook in the car so she got to write the bright flashy check to donate to the organization. I am the proud new owner of 15 ton of rock from the quarry purchased at the Clinton County Cattlemen’s Banquet last weekend.
All in all, banquets are a fun way to get a great meal, possibly donate to your county organizations and catch up with old friends. They are the social event of the year and don’t forget to bring your checkbook if you plan on buying something. I hope you all stay warm as January comes to an end.
The local banquets are the social event of the week and a great way to catch up with many friends and neighbors. We all know farmers, and I personally have first-hand experience that they can talk farm talk about anything for hours. Farmers may not admit it but they actually love going to these events. They love to help raise money for each organization as they excitedly bid on live auction items. I am always amazed at the amount of money raised at these events in a very short time with a quick auction following the meeting. I am always impressed with the neat auction items made and donated to the cause. Most proceeds go towards scholarships for area seniors or simply supporting the local commodity industry. Some farmers, like my dad, might even get so excited about attending the banquet that they forget to grab their checkbook off the counter before leaving home. However, they don’t realize that they don’t have a check with them until after they bought their new prize possession from the banquet auction. Luckily enough their teenage daughter still had her bright neon softball checkbook in the car so she got to write the bright flashy check to donate to the organization. I am the proud new owner of 15 ton of rock from the quarry purchased at the Clinton County Cattlemen’s Banquet last weekend.
All in all, banquets are a fun way to get a great meal, possibly donate to your county organizations and catch up with old friends. They are the social event of the year and don’t forget to bring your checkbook if you plan on buying something. I hope you all stay warm as January comes to an end.
-Kesley Holdgrafer
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
January Farming
Now that it is January, you would think it would be time for farmers to relax. It’s the start of a new year. The crops are out and nobody is busy in the fields. Most would think farmers would spend their days in the house relaxing, watching tv, scrolling through tractorhouse, or even taking a nap. This however, is completely false. Farmers rarely ever take a break even when they are given the perfect opportunity. Farmers always find something to do to keep themselves busy.
January is a perfect time to catch up on shop activities. This can range from a lot of things like overhauling equipment to smaller projects like simple maintenance. Farmers feel like they have to keep busy. I personally think they will go mad if they don’t. This January is one for the books as many are still able to do a little chiseling as the ground hasn’t completely frozen just yet.
January is also an expensive month for farmers. From the end of the year payments to finish out the farm books to the prepayment of new crop expenses to ensure the cheapest rates for input costs, the last week in December till the middle of January farmers tend to write a lot of checks! With the dreaded March 1st not far away, which means cash rent payments and taxes, along with most larger equipment payments, this time of year is very expensive for a farmer. Most farm kids like myself have probably heard their dad say this time of year that “the checkbook is closed” especially when we are asking for money or something silly.
My older brothers, the college boys, have returned to Ames after a long Christmas break. My younger brother Luke and I are back to feeding/checking their cows and holding down things at home for them while they are off getting smart. They are the young farmers and haven’t realized “the checkbook is closed” theory about this time of year as they both recently purchased additional cows, more than doubling their herd. Do those boys seriously believe they will all calve during their 10-day spring break in March? I’m thinking Luke and I will be really busy doing their chores during the spring calving season! The college boys will be screaming that their checkbooks are closed when Luke and I turn in our hours expecting to be compensated for our time and efforts assisting their cows with calving!
Enjoy your relaxing January as we prepare the new crop and calving year!
~ Kesley Holdgrafer
January is a perfect time to catch up on shop activities. This can range from a lot of things like overhauling equipment to smaller projects like simple maintenance. Farmers feel like they have to keep busy. I personally think they will go mad if they don’t. This January is one for the books as many are still able to do a little chiseling as the ground hasn’t completely frozen just yet.
January is also an expensive month for farmers. From the end of the year payments to finish out the farm books to the prepayment of new crop expenses to ensure the cheapest rates for input costs, the last week in December till the middle of January farmers tend to write a lot of checks! With the dreaded March 1st not far away, which means cash rent payments and taxes, along with most larger equipment payments, this time of year is very expensive for a farmer. Most farm kids like myself have probably heard their dad say this time of year that “the checkbook is closed” especially when we are asking for money or something silly.
My older brothers, the college boys, have returned to Ames after a long Christmas break. My younger brother Luke and I are back to feeding/checking their cows and holding down things at home for them while they are off getting smart. They are the young farmers and haven’t realized “the checkbook is closed” theory about this time of year as they both recently purchased additional cows, more than doubling their herd. Do those boys seriously believe they will all calve during their 10-day spring break in March? I’m thinking Luke and I will be really busy doing their chores during the spring calving season! The college boys will be screaming that their checkbooks are closed when Luke and I turn in our hours expecting to be compensated for our time and efforts assisting their cows with calving!
Enjoy your relaxing January as we prepare the new crop and calving year!
~ Kesley Holdgrafer
Roller Coaster Year
As we look back on the year 2019 I think we all can conclude that it was quite an interesting year with emotions changing as fast as the weather forecast.. Farmers went from happy, to nervous and worried, back to happy and then to stressed. The best way to describe this year I think is a roller coaster. We went through a roller coaster of emotions along with a roller coaster of seasons. With every month a new twist and turn was added to our roller coaster until we finally gained enough momentum to make it all the way through harvest.
January and February started off with snow and tons of it; but I wasn’t complaining because I think I only went to school for one full week in January. Farmers spent their days outside in the cold breaking ice and their kids outside shoveling bunks. Like they always say, a late Easter means a late spring and that was certainly the case in 2019. Some farmers got lucky and got crops in the ground in April, but then it snowed. Calling a farmer stressed at that point was an understatement. May brought buckets of rain pushing planting back ever further.
Before farmers knew it, it was June and they were still planting. Muddy fields led to chains being hooked up to pull people out. This made tension even higher as the race to put crops in was on. Once crops were in the rest of the summer was spent making hay and having fun at the fairs. Come September it was time to chop. Yet just like the planting that should have been done in April, chopping was also delayed because of the weather. We spent what should have been harvest season in October watching raindrops and to top it all off it snowed on Halloween. Any dry day that came around you could see combines in the field. Thanksgiving was spent in the field and being thankful it wasn’t raining. Come late December, crops were almost completely out. It was truly a Christmas miracle.
This year really tested everyone’s patience in more than one way, but we made it through and made the best of what we were given. Honestly, I think it made us stronger. Farmers are ready for whatever 2020 may bring and hopefully this year will reward farmers for their hard work, perseverance, and patience. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!
January and February started off with snow and tons of it; but I wasn’t complaining because I think I only went to school for one full week in January. Farmers spent their days outside in the cold breaking ice and their kids outside shoveling bunks. Like they always say, a late Easter means a late spring and that was certainly the case in 2019. Some farmers got lucky and got crops in the ground in April, but then it snowed. Calling a farmer stressed at that point was an understatement. May brought buckets of rain pushing planting back ever further.
Before farmers knew it, it was June and they were still planting. Muddy fields led to chains being hooked up to pull people out. This made tension even higher as the race to put crops in was on. Once crops were in the rest of the summer was spent making hay and having fun at the fairs. Come September it was time to chop. Yet just like the planting that should have been done in April, chopping was also delayed because of the weather. We spent what should have been harvest season in October watching raindrops and to top it all off it snowed on Halloween. Any dry day that came around you could see combines in the field. Thanksgiving was spent in the field and being thankful it wasn’t raining. Come late December, crops were almost completely out. It was truly a Christmas miracle.
This year really tested everyone’s patience in more than one way, but we made it through and made the best of what we were given. Honestly, I think it made us stronger. Farmers are ready for whatever 2020 may bring and hopefully this year will reward farmers for their hard work, perseverance, and patience. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!
- Kesley Holdgrafer
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