Melissa Kenny – Jonel Farming
Well, the weather is really starting to cool down here in South Australia and we finally have had some opening rain, which has given us a little confidence as we are now well into planting. It is still quite dry in parts with many seeders kicking up dust as they plow through the fields but we hope more rain will be on the way soon.
We are sowing wheat, barley and lentils this year and the boys have been very busy running the seeder almost around the clock some days, as well as, spraying and attending to all of the other little jobs.
The kids have been troopers with lots of late nights as we deliver meals to the field and help out with filling up or moving people around. There have been nights where I’ve kept them awake by passing sultanas to the back seat one at a time (and Matt may have lost a bite from his dessert one evening when Mr. 3 dozed off just as the seeder was pulling up) but for the most part, they’ve been thrilled to be part of the action.
I’m excited to be using my new meal delivery bags which I designed in collaboration with a local canvas bag maker. They are a 2-piece (zip together) unit which fits a foam meal tray in each compartment. Separately insulated, they are perfect for transporting a hot meal in the bottom with a cold drink and dessert in the top. They will be especially useful during harvest when I’m feeding more guys, in separate crews. I ordered two for each person so that each day we can exchange them at dinner drop-off. Small things…but they really do make life easier in what I like to call “crazy time” at our place!
We hope to finish planting early next week, all going well, and will be looking forward to some decent rain…and some decent sleep!
Happy harvesting to all of those heading out soon!
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".
