Editor
In the world of agriculture, a lot can happen in a year. During the early months, your equipment may be sitting idle in the shed most of the time, but your mind is already shifting gears in preparation for the upcoming season. There are many decisions to make that can influence the endgame.
One of the most important ones is choosing which varieties to plant that best fit your operation. Study your options carefully and gather as much information as you can before pulling the trigger and placing that order. Do your homework.
Once spring arrives, farmers are off to the races. Planters are rolling, and “busy beyond belief” is a weak description of what is actually happening out in the fields. And it doesn’t stop there. Next comes scouting, spraying, irrigating, troubleshooting, weather-watching and finally harvest. But once the picker is parked and the cotton has made it to the gin, you can slow down a bit. December has arrived.
For farmers, this is a month to reflect on what just happened and be thankful for everything that went right. Of course, the big picture items in regard to how the crop turned out are important, but sometimes a small, unexpected snapshot surfaces that makes you stop and smile.
A good example popped up on Twitter the other day. A farmer posted: “A guy came up to me at church profusely thanking me for allowing him to ride along during harvest. He was so excited he could barely talk. I realized maximizing harvest efficiency is pointless if stopping a few minutes to let someone come ride can add so much joy to their life.”
The reactions came pouring in as others shared their own experiences with harvest ride alongs, involving neighbors, friends, kids, themselves. One comment was particularly spot on. “Some moments in life are priceless, irreplaceable and irretrievable.”
I believe these are the times on which to reflect as one year comes to a close and the next one is about to open.
During the holiday season, make a point to practice “random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” to establish and maintain a positive foundation for the upcoming season.
If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN, 38138. Contact Carroll Smith via email at csmith@onegrower.com.