Amanda Buus Thomsen – BT Harvesting
Its been far too long since my last update. Since June, we have cut six different crops in six states and one province, traveled 2,200 miles and gained two new crew members. We’ve watched great looking crops be destroyed by hail, crops that were ready to cut covered by snow and we’re currently sitting on a rain and snow delay (…and the soybeans are definitely not liking this).
My husband has been glued to the five different weather apps he has on his phone and I can’t count how many times I’ve heard him say “Hopefully the weather will cooperate…”, “Let’s just pray the rain holds off…” or “If the snow stays away, we might be able to finish up…”
A hope and a prayer – anymore, it seems to be what we live on.
We’ve been fortunate enough to cut in some of our favorite places, see people that we look forward to seeing every year (even though we did miss getting to talk to Vivian while we were in Garrison) and take in sights that most only dream of.
We’ve made it to Onida, SD and began cutting corn the day we arrived (which is unusual because soybeans normally come off first.) For several days, I was even able to get out of the camper and spend quality time harvesting corn.
The quote by Will Rogers “A farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer” can easily apply to custom harvesters as well. We all live and die by the weather.
And since its starting to sleet outside, I think I’m going to make a big pot of chili and some cornbread and try to stay warm.
