You have heard the old adage, “Make hay while the sun shines.” As with many old sayings, there is a lot of truth in these few words. Farmers and Mother nature have a love/hate relationship. When the rain is plentiful but not too plentiful, the sun shines, the winds are gentle, and the temperatures are optimal, farmers adore Mother Nature. She reigns queen. However, if there is drought, floods, too much rainfall, temperatures are too hot or too cold, and destructive winds, she is viewed as a vengeful hag. There is no in-between.
My bib overall wearing wonder buns began the hay-making process on Saturday after market. He could not wait to seat his little bib overall wear bottom onto that tractor seat and mow away. He had been keeping his eye on the weather for days and felt pressed to beat the forecast before the rain set in on Wednesday. Despite being up at 4 a.m. on Saturday, he returned from the market and got right to mowing. He mowed until dark and got all the hay cut. Sunday, he and The Bean raked the hay. Monday, he turned it over again. Tuesday, he bailed the hay. Yesterday, he and Jenna worked to get the new bails near the barn, and the old bales moved. It is a week-long process, but he enjoys what he does.
Today, he and Jenna will finish cleaning the barn, spreading manure on the hay fields, moving the old hay in for bedding, cleaning out stalls, liming the barn to combat bugs and odor, and getting everything tidy. The girls will soon be moved back to the barn and the pastures near the barn. The summer camp pasture will have to be brush hogged, and then the little piglets will be moved to the summer camp pasture. It is indeed a process.
There is no working with Mother Nature. It’s more of trying to deal with her mood swings and stay one step ahead of her. This week, with time, effort, and diligence, The Bibbed Wonder was able to stay ahead. If he had taken Saturday afternoon to rest, he would have been dealing with wet hay. Farming is not for the weak or procrastinating. I admire Eric’s passion for farming. I worry that he gets too tired or becomes burnt out, but the little man appears to thrive on the push. In this way, he reminds me of my dad.
As I write to you, he is preparing the equipment for the day’s activities. I also admire him for his patience and care that he puts into everything he does. He follows another old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Taking the time to clean, grease, and maintain the equipment eventually saves him time and frustration. He’s a good man and an excellent farmer.
On this sunny, humid day in June, please stay safe, be smart, appreciate the wisdom in old adages, and keep washing your hands.