Walking in the Furrow
It is hard to believe we are already 30-plus days into the new year, unfortunately we had to fall into a deep freeze with dangerous wind chills during the last full week of January. But I'm thankful we did see some measurable snow to help insulate the winter wheat crop before the negative single-digit real-feel temps dropped below zero.
Traveling the rural roads and highways during the winter can often present challenging conditions when trying to gain traction on icy and snow-pack covered roads. Thirty plus years ago, we always added a couple hundred pounds of bagged feed or barn-dri limestone into the trunk of the car for added weight over the drive tires. I remember we also had a set of studded tires for Grandpa's old Chevrolet step-side pickup truck, too; but who wants to swap out tires on at the beginning of winter and again in the spring?
Over the years I have made several weight boxes for the pickup trucks we use around the farm. We have used various shapes and sizes of suitcase weights, chunks of concrete with rebar loops for handling and even large bales of hay for the flatbed trucks. I don't know about you, but I have had enough of winter. Who else is ready for spring?
In the month of February, many of us may be seeking answers from a 13-pound adult woodchuck also known Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow or not? This will determine where we stand with the remaining weeks of winter. According to www.history.com, the first official Groundhog Day was celebrated on Feb. 2, 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pa. It was a newspaper editor named Clymer Freas who sold a group of businessman and groundhog hunters on the idea of Groundhog Day. If the Farmer's Almanac or the Woolly Bear Caterpillar is not your primary source for forecasting the winter weather, maybe you can rely on a 135-year-old legend from Mr. Groundhog. Unless you love winter, I am optimistic that when he peaks his head out of his den, it will be an overcast day and spring will arrive early.
If you love Valentine's Day more than Groundhog Day, then I have just the answer for those of you who have procrastinated until the last minute to buy your significant other a card or a special heart-felt gift. On Feb. 13, the Tipton County 4-H Fairgrounds will host a farm toy show, along with jewelry and crafts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have a really understanding Valentine, then perhaps you can stall him or her off until Feb. 27 and bring them along to the Marshall County FFA farm toy show and expo at Plymouth High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Jan. 23, the Indiana Cornhusking Assn. joined close to a dozen other vendors at the Fulton County Museum for a pop-up farm toy show. The 6 inches of new fluffy snow that fell the night before created a difficult commute to the show that morning. Hopefully the weather will be more inviting on Feb. 27 at the Marshall County FFA toy show and expo.
Make sure to mark your calendar for April 9 for the Indiana Cornhusking Assn. and Geyer Farm plow day. The rain date will be the following Saturday on April 16. This plow day event will be for those wishing to plow with garden tractors or antique tractors. Food and restrooms will be provided by the host for those who participate.