Hello HarvestHERS,
I’m Jenny Bashutski with Bashutski Harvesting LTD. from Saskatchewan Canada. I was born & raised in Fort Benton, MT.
Working the harvest in the US each year gives me a chance to come “home” for a few months. My harvest story began when my dad hired my now husband, Mike, to cut his wheat 20 some years ago. I always loved harvest time and meeting the harvesters that came to town; I think I’ve always had a gypsy soul! I fed Mike’s crew a couple of times the summer I graduated from high school and, if we’re being honest here, it was terrible food! Back then I wasn’t much of a cook. Mike and I started dating. I guess he had faith in me because he asked me to come on harvest with them the next summer as the cook. I think I mastered my job that summer.
This is his 27th year on the run and my 21st. We have 4 kids, ages 4 to 11. The oldest is our only boy and he has spent nearly every day of his life in the field since he was 3. He is a big help in the field now, having run tractor since he was 5 and now running combine when needed. Kolton and I sometimes fight over who will trade off a combine operator, so the operator can eat at supper time.
Before I had children, I spent many hours helping wherever needed in the field, running for parts and cooking for the crew. Now my days are mostly consumed with kids, laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking. The girls are great help at camp, getting supper ready and packing it up.
We do embrace the chance to go out and help in the field when needed. When I get the opportunity to jump in a combine, it’s the perfect ending to my day!
Many people don’t understand why or how we do what we do. For us it’s getting the chance to do something we love. Like all the other harvesters, it’s the people you meet along the way and the relationships built with clients, local business owners & their employees, our crew members, other harvesters, and our family.
Our house is only a home because of our family and friends, therefore our camper is home, wherever it may roll. I love this crazy, beautiful life we live and wouldn’t change it for the world!
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".