PART 2

I put too many pictures on this update, so I had to split it in two…sorry.  You’ve heard about our office work, our shop work, and our trucking over the past month or so.  Now I’ll update you with some other winter activities on the farm.

Bob is grinding drywall and screening the paper out of the gypsum.

There is still lots of outside work to do in the winter.  We actually like the cold weather this time of year because if it’s not frozen, it is muddy!  Guy and Bob are always working at the compost pad…bringing in different feedstocks and processing windrows.  We are also always grinding drywall, screening out the paper and stacking the gypsum.  The paper then gets mixed with the compost.  We can also spread compost or gypsum while it is frozen.

When the tracks are icy, Parker likes to make loading exciting!

Parker does a great job running the excavator.

Parker is our excavator dude.  He is really good at efficiently running that machine so that he accomplishes a lot and doesn’t tear things up.  That’s partly why the picture above is somewhat entertaining…nobody got hurt!  When he loads that machine, he pulls it on forward so he can see where he’s going.  when we haul it, though, it is better for it to be facing backward because it fits on the trailer better.  So, in this case Parker pulled the excavator up on the trailer then he spun it around so that it sits backward.  When the rear end with the big counter-weight rotated around, the tracks which were full of ice simply slid sideways off the trailer.  Parker says it was an interesting ride!  Parker and the excavator have been a great team for us.  If you are just looking at farming dollars, you take out most trees and make the most of your fields.  We try to do a good job of balancing the removal of trees where we might get the most back, but we are also big on conserving and improving wooded areas for wildlife and aesthetics.  It is fun to farm in areas where you also enjoy the wildlife.  Being good stewards means balancing the most return with the right preservation.

Doing an “in-person” version of AgriTalk at the National Farm Machinery Show.

Shelby is 2nd Runner-up! “Queen” as far as Mom & Dad are concerned.

Boone County Farm Bureau visits the State House. Shown with Senator Phil Boots.

Now that you know that real work gets done, let me share a little about what I do.  I do spend quite a bit of time in the office, but I also get to go places and talk to people.  I stay pretty active with our county Farm Bureau.  Farm bureau is the best “voice” for agriculture that we have, whether on the local, state, or national level.  I have also had some fun getting to participate in a “Farmer Forum” on the radio show, AgriTalk.  I am usually on every two or three weeks, and I just get to talk about issues affecting agriculture, whether they are political, financial, or environmental.  I have really enjoyed researching the issues and having a chance to share my views.  I also have to brag on our daughter, Shelby.  I told you in a previous post that she was named “Miss Boone County” this past summer.  That meant she got the chance to vie for “Miss Indiana State Fair” this January.  Out of 87 contestants, Shelby was named the 2nd Runner-up.  We are very proud of her accomplishment.  Thanks again for reading through all of my ramblings!

Don