Dana Petersen – L. Petersen Farms
Finally….harvest
After an apprehensive spring and not sure what the future would hold for us, we have finally arrived at harvest time for our crew and we are glad to have some “normal” in our not so normal 2017! Harvest is “normal” for us and we are glad to be upon it once again.
In Saskatchewan our school doesn’t let the kids or teachers out for summer holidays until the end of June. So there I was, June 30th, handing out report cards, hurrying the little “sweethearts” out the door so that I could begin summer vacation also known as “harvest” to our family.
The kids and I finally met up with the crew on July 4th in Goodland, Kansas. After 19 hours of driving straight through from Canada. The kids were determined that mom could not stop anywhere along the way and were so happy to be in Goodland in time for the fantastic fireworks display.
For us, harvest is a way of life. It’s all our kids have ever known about summer and we and they love it! We love it because it’s a chance to be together as a family. We love to be together even if it means work! We also love that harvest means seeing friends in every stop along the way. We are so thankful for the friendships that have been created over the harvest years.
The best part about joining harvest at this point in the season is the sense of appreciation from the crew. A few nights ago one of our crew members said, “Oh Dana, I’ve missed you!”…… I know technically he hasn’t missed me really but maybe rather has missed my cooking!
I look forward to updating you on our travels as we journey through Harvest 2017.
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".
