Julie Vogts – Spring Valley Farms Inc.
Day 3
We made our way out of the bed around 6:30 a.m. and I started prepping food for the day. Sandwich lunches were made and the Balsamic Roast Beef and veggies were placed in the crockpot. Breakfast of bacon, sausage, and eggs were served; then we headed to the farmyard! Milton had already checked the irrigation water on the corn while I made breakfast so, that task was out of the way! One of our neighbors is helping us out this year by driving truck now that my brother has headed back to Wyoming…land of less humidity! Lucky guy! The combine driver is Milton and I help weigh the trucks, supply food, and run errands (and our daughter) around.
The farm kid made cookies today and also helped sweep wheat into the pit! She is a great helper!
The first field we did a round or two and found it to be too wet. So, we made our small caravan over to another field. This is when we are thankful that all our fields are within a few mile radius from one another! The second field was ready to harvest so they got after it! I did run to town to have the moisture tested (even though our combine has a monitor); we wanted to make sure. It was all good! They finished that field of 39 acres then headed right next door to another one that we farm. Our bins at home are filling up. Once they are full, we will take our loads to the grain elevator terminal that is pretty close to our farm. Best guess, if all goes well, by Friday the bins will be full! Then, I can relax a bit and not work in such hot conditions!
Total acres harvested today…about 100.
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
