Food & Swine

Harvest 2014

Plain and simple, here are some snapshots of harvest so far this year.  It has been damp recently so we haven’t been able to get out to the field and harvest the crops… but of course, there are other things on the farm to keep us busy.  Today, I’m delighted to fulfill my duties as a CommonGround volunteer and speak on behalf of farmers on a global consumer food panel in front of members of international media.  I’m honored to speak for the people I respect so much and accurately tell our story.

On with the pictures!

Here’s a look at my sister’s and my office.

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Even the littlest farmers get a shot at driving the tractor, in the safety of an open field of course!  She exclaimed, “we’re making pig feed, Mom!”

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Just be aware, that slow moving tractor in front of you may not have a grumpy farmer inside… just two careful Moms!

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Your kids have superhero infatuation?  My kids’ superhero is their Grandpa, especially when he is driving the combine!  They love to have rides.

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Looking for Grandpa and pondering.

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Workboot #felfie.  Didn’t even know we (my sister) ordered the same pair.

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Gorgeous soybeans.

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We’ve got lots of pig chores to keep up with during harvest.  The kids don’t mind.  Neither do they mind eating frosted pig-cookies from the local bakery.

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The best lunch date.  Dad’s in the combine, we’re pulling the grain cart up beside him so he can unload his grain onto our cart.

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Snapshot that I call ‘bin’s-eye-view’, on top of our grain bin.

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The new tractors are very spacious!

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Waiting for Grandpa…

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We love to take ‘harvest breakfast’ to everyone.  Casey’s donuts and AE chocolate milk are a tradition!

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My daughter is quite the photographer!

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The kids are involved, and that’s a good thing.

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Unloading onto the wagons that will haul grain to town.

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I thought I’d show you the lovely restrooms.

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This is corn being unloaded out of the grain cart into the wagons that will haul to the cooperative in town.  See the particles flying around?  That is part of the cob/corn kernel that we call “bee’s wings”.

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Too wet to harvest tonight so I brought my computer outside for work.  I love Iowa sunsets.

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Ready for a day’s work.

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These wagons are pulled by my uncle and go to town to deliver the grain we harvest in the field that we don’t plan to store in our own grain bins.

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Annnnnd we’re full.

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We all enjoy the small moments of family and have faith that the crops will come out in due time… or hopefully before Christmas (at this rate!)

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4 Comments

  • Reply Bonita Olmer October 15, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks for sharing these, Cristen. I love seeing them! :)

    • Reply Cristen October 16, 2014 at 1:46 am

      Oh Bonita! I’m so glad. Thanks for all of your support. Love you, cousin!

  • Reply Sandy October 15, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Miss harvest time on the farm!

    • Reply Cristen October 16, 2014 at 1:47 am

      It is such a memorable time of year for me too, Sandy!

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