Farmer School

January is over?  I'm not sure what happened, there, but apparently 2018 is going to go FAST.

Farming most definitely does not stop over the winter.  Lately, we have a lot of meetings, or, 'Farmer School.' These meetings are for our own good to learn more about what research is going on, or other ways to manage what we are already doing.

My goal for this year is to learn more about the farm finances.  I'm lucky to have some awesome Women in Ag Extension classes to attend nearby:  Annie's Project and Women Managing Farm Finances.

I get to do some pretty fun things while I'm attending these 'school' days, too :)

Duane Murley, KWMT radio, interviews Kellie Blair during the #ISAFRC18. The Blairs participate On-Farm Network trials to improve their farming operation near Dayton. pic.twitter.com/lIB3XXIEBd

— Iowa Soybeans (@IowaSoybeans) February 7, 2018

Other posts on this topic:
Tis the Season for Meetings

Tis’ the Season for Meetings

Over the winter we do a lot of paperwork (catch up).  We have piles, we have taxes, we have planning for the next year, we have crop to deliver, and we have school papers to sift through (seriously, this may be our largest pile). 


Also over the winter months we have MEETINGS!!  I call them meetings, but mostly it is school for adults.  Do you have continuing education for your job?  Farmers have the same thing.  This week alone I have a variety of options to attend:  Iowa Pork Congress, Iowa Soybean Association’s Legislative Reception and District Advisory Council, and my daughter’s class has invited me to talk about farming. 

There are so many things for us to be involved in, and we learn something from all of them. We get involved because it is our way of learning but also being able to give our input on what is important on our farm for the coming year.

Snow Removal

Last week we received about 11 inches of snow.  And it blew (both literally and figuratively). 

This week, we got another 1-2 inches of snow and it blew again.  

So, we've been stuck at home a lot in the past 2 weeks.  Luckily, the power never went out, so we were able to enjoy the modern luxuries of heat, lights, internet, and television. 

After snow events, or on days that the snow blows into drifts, the monotonous task of moving snow begins.  In order to feed the livestock (and get out of the driveway) we have to get it moved.  Since AJ is the one to do chores, he is tasked with snow removal!

I got a new camera, so I got to test it a little.  Take a look at some of those piles!!

The snow piles are fun areas to play.







This drive leads out to our earlage pile and bales.









Can you see the 3 piles?







The hog barn also needs snow moved.







Lucky AJ at least has a cab!



Above is a video of AJ moving the snow. 

And, while AJ is fighting the snow piles, I am fighting the paper piles.

 

Cold Weather Chores

While a lot of my blogging friends have written about the cold weather, AJ and I were able to take a break with some great friends down in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. When we left Des Moines, it was a whopping -14 degrees (that does not include wind-chill!).

We got to Punta Cana at 4:30 pm that day (Punta Cana time) and it was 89 degrees ABOVE ZERO! Yea, it was awesome. We had a great time. Besides getting sick, it was a beautiful trip. I had hoped to see some of the Dominican Republic agriculture, but didn't quite make it. Maybe next time!

This week I am switching places with AJ, and I am doing chores (he had a small surgery and has some stitches to care for). I've done chores before and I used to help outside on the farm. But that was before we had kids. Now, my main chore on our farm is our kids. :) I am excited for our switch, but we also have some cold weather to deal with!

My experience so far has been more challenging that I had imagined. Friday was my first full day of doing chores by myself. Of course, the water tanks were frozen up, and we had a calf die (ironically, On The Banks of Squaw Creek wrote about "sentiment" and "sentimentality" on the farm that day.  Read it, I agree with her!). Friday, I started chores at 8 am and finally finished up at noon. I was exhausted! This morning I went out to do chores at 8 and was back in by 10 (I even had to load the feed truck!). By the end of this, I will be a pro :)

Here are some things that I am learning:

• I need better gloves, stocking hats, socks, and long underwear. It is cold outside.
• I need to lift more weights in the 'off season.' Going in and out of the loader, trying to load a 150 pound calf in the loader bucket, scooping out feed bunks, and crawling over gates has taught me that I'm more out of shape than I thought!
• I need a handkerchief. You can only wipe your nose with your hand and wipe it on your jeans so long before your nose gets sore.
• I need to remember my Bluetooth for questions (and to charge my phone up). This morning I had my Bluetooth and phone charged so when I called AJ with questions I had both hands handy! :)
• I need a better attitude at times. When I was having trouble yesterday, I was getting mad. I'm pretty sure I waste more energy when I get mad. I need to just move on.
• When the weather is windy and cold, chores will take a little longer.

Some cool things about chores:

• The beautiful winter mornings.
• The equipment that I get to use. 
• The calves and pigs :)
• Felfies (Farmer Selfie).  They are the cool thing to do!