Focus on Agriculture:

Maureen Harkcom: Time to kick back and relax for farmers and ranchers? Hardly

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle
Posted 1/13/25

A lot of people think that this time of year farmers are just kicking back and relaxing by the fire feeling all cozy and warm.

Some farmers are in their “down time” of the year, but …

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Focus on Agriculture:

Maureen Harkcom: Time to kick back and relax for farmers and ranchers? Hardly

Posted

A lot of people think that this time of year farmers are just kicking back and relaxing by the fire feeling all cozy and warm.

Some farmers are in their “down time” of the year, but that generally does not mean sitting around idly looking for something to occupy their time.

It may mean eight-hour days instead of 14 to 16, so it may feel like a break. It may mean a chance to catch up on things that were let slide when there just were not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Crop farmers are “pulling wrenches” getting back into good, operating condition all their equipment that might have been patched together to get through the job at hand during the busy planting, tending and harvesting seasons.

It is a time to upgrade, repair and replace whatever they can afford to do in preparation for the coming seasons. For many in animal husbandry, it is perhaps an even busier season as they deal with inclement weather conditions that put additional strains on their animals, their time and working conditions.

Like everyone, there is the additional burden of income tax time along with setting the budget for the year and looking at long term plans. Do we, can we, must we expand in order to survive or thrive? Do we, can we, must we cut back in order to survive or thrive?

Plans need to be made for what will be planted, when to order seed and soil inputs and what to do about marketing. When do we put the bulls with the cows (or whatever species) to have calving when we want it?

So many things are outside the control of farmers and ranchers, and it can be a scary proposition.

The weather is a “given” concern as we all know we cannot control it, and farmers and ranchers are definitely at the mercy of Mother Nature. Ideal temperatures and amounts of rainfall when needed never happen, so we plant when the ground allows and watch as plants thrive and produce a bumper crop or just do OK giving us an average yield.

We all try not to think of the disaster years. 

Will the government take away our water rights at the time when they are needed the most? Will we have more limitations put upon us concerning labor, packaging, fuel usage, type of equipment we are allowed or required to use, methods of raising and handling our livestock? What price will we sell at? Or will we even be able to sell? Do we need to diversify to survive and thrive? If so, what does that mean? What does it look like? How do we do it? Can we convert existing equipment to a new purpose or do we need new and different equipment?

Farming and ranching is a complex endeavor requiring education, experience, insight, fortitude, perseverance (some say stubbornness) and a little (maybe a lot) of luck and faith. 



It means getting your heart broken when a calf or a favorite cow doesn’t make it. It means getting your hopes and dreams crushed when a crop fails for whatever reason or is destroyed by Mother Nature.

But it is a wonderful life where family works together, through all things. It binds family close. It heals your broken heart and rebuilds your dreams and aspirations so that you can carry on. It builds our future generations. Agriculture feeds us all.

We are seeing more and more in the news and on social media about the food that we eat in the United States compared to other countries. I have always been a proponent of eating what I call “real food.”

I encourage everyone to grow what they can — it is so much better when it comes fresh from your (or your neighbor’s) yard, picked at its peak rather than green and artificially ripened. If you cannot grow your own, then shop at farmers markets or buy directly from farms and ranches in your area, here in Lewis County.

Know your farmer. Knowing where your food comes from is not just a cute saying, it is a good way to eat and live.

You have an opportunity to get to know some of our local farmers.

The Lewis County Farm Bureau is hosting a Barn Stomp on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Red Barn Studios on Goff Road near Adna.

This event is free to the public. It is family friendly. Food and beverage trucks will be on site. It is your chance to meet and talk to local farmers and ranchers. It is your chance to let Lewis County Farm Bureau know what we can do to help you eat better and live better.

Please, come join us.

•••

Maureen Harkcom is a past president and current membership chair of the Lewis County Farm Bureau. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com