Courtney's Chronicles
For most people, the end of the year feels magical. December brings twinkling lights, warm kitchens, Christmas programs and community gatherings. It's supposed to be the season of joy, rest and reflection. But for many farmers and small business owners, and people in general, the holidays come wrapped with a very different kind of emotion—one that smells a bit like diesel fuel, sounds like calculator buttons and looks suspiciously like a stack of invoices sitting on the dining room table. Because while the world is baking cookies and wrapping gifts, those of us in agriculture are making decisions that can shape the entire next year.
Farmers don't slow down simply because the calendar says we should. Instead, December becomes a race against time and the tax clock. The end of the year means double-checking the books, reviewing income and deciding if now is the moment to invest in that new piece of equipment we've been putting off. Maybe it's a manure spreader that's on its last leg, a combine that rattles louder than a sleigh bell, or a pickup truck that's held together by hope and baling twine. Whatever it is, December forces us to look hard at what needs to be replaced, what can survive another season, and what we can realistically afford.
And those decisions aren't small. In agriculture, equipment purchases don't come with a quick swipe of a credit card. They come with heated discussions around the kitchen table, calculator scratches on the back of feed receipts, and lots of faith. Because the truth is, farmers don't buy equipment for fun, they buy it to keep moving forward, to stay competitive, to ensure their livestock and land are cared for. And December is when the numbers must make sense—or be prayed over until they do.
But it's not just equipment. The end of the year means taking inventory of everything, including hay supplies, feed costs, veterinary bills, fuel expenses, market trends and next year's goals. It's planning breeding schedules, crop rotations and input needs before the first seed is even in the ground. It's juggling insurance renewals, updated regulations and meetings with the accountant squeezed between Christmas concerts and church services.
It's a strange mix of stress and gratitude, really. Because even though our to-do lists feel longer than a winter night, we're also surrounded by the things that remind us why we do it all in the first place. Maybe it's kids running through the barn in their Christmas pajamas, pausing long enough to scratch a pig behind the ears before heading back inside. Maybe it's feeding livestock under the glow of Christmas lights strung along the barn roof. Maybe it's knowing that despite the pressures and the paperwork, we get to live a life rooted in purpose that includes caring for land, animals and people.
So for farmers and business owners, December becomes a balancing act. One foot in the world of holiday cheer and one foot planted firmly in reality. We're celebrating the season while also preparing for a future that depends on smart decisions today. And if we're honest, that weight can be heavy. The end of the year brings expectations, not just for joy, but for judgment. Did we make the right choices? Did we work hard enough? Did the weather cooperate? Did the markets treat us fairly? What will next year look like?
Yet through it all, agriculture folks remain resilient. We always do, because we have to. Because beneath the stress is an understanding that farming, and running a small business, isn't just a job. It's a calling. And with every challenge December brings, we find a way to push forward with hope, determination and faith.
So, if this holiday season feels a little overwhelming, know that you're not alone. Farm families across the state are crunching numbers, weighing decisions and praying for clarity while the rest of the world sips hot cocoa without a care. And that's okay. Our version of December may look different, but it's no less meaningful.
Here's to closing out the year with both courage and gratitude. Here's to making tough decisions, celebrating small victories and holding tight to the joys that truly matter. And here's to a new year ahead: may it be full of good weather, strong markets, healthy livestock and a little more peace for us all.