It’s that time of year again, planting season! That means late nights, tractor dinner dates, and tiring, stressful weeks lie ahead. I have grown to love planting season, though, because even though it can be stressful with the long nights (2:30 am stopping time is how we started this season), a lot of time apart, and going to events solo there is so much joy that comes from it. I love riding in the tractor with Blake for dinner dates. It is such a good way for us to spend some quality time together during the craziness of the season, he gets a warm home cooked meal out of it, and there is  no better view of the sunset than from the seat of a tractor. These are all things that I have grown to love and appreciate so much being with a farmer. I think it has made me truly appreciate the company of each other, rather than the materialistic aspects that often go into a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I still love an occasional night out or day trip, but sitting in the cab of a tractor with the person you love really gives you perspective on what is important in your relationship, and that is spending time together.

Three Tips and Tricks to help your Farmer survive Planting Season:

1. Whenever possible make your farmer a warm dinner for the tractor. 12+ hour days get long and cold, packed lunches get old. Maybe even sneak in his favorite meal or dessert! I love using Thermos containers that keep the food really warm, just in case he can’t eat right away when I get there. (And trust me, this will happen more often than you think)
2. BE FLEXIBLE. I can be the most OCD overly planned person there is, and that does not fit into farming anywhere and that took me a while to adjust to. Your plans will change, they will possibly get canceled, the rain will determine if you will be going to a wedding solo, and endless other possibilities, all which require some flexibility. Understand that it is not your farmers choice or intention to cancel plans on your or give an “I don’t know” to upcoming plans, but for the time being you’ll just have to ‘roll with the punches’ and appreciate rain days.
3. Plan a “Post Planting Date”. We started planning pre/post planting (and harvesting) dates a few years ago. We always do something new and fun at the beginning and end of the busy seasons as a way to relax and unwind from the stress. We LOVE these dates and look forward to it every year. So, plan a post planting date for your farmer, something fun that you know he will love as a nice way to relax and unwind from weeks in the fields.

Three Tips and Tricks to help YOU survive Planting Season:

1. Take advantage of rain delays. Luke Bryan said it best- “Rain is a good thing”. Rain delays, though not always the best in the eyes of the farmer, will be breaks in your crazy schedule and allow for you spend some time together outside of the fields. Use it as a movie day, or order take out and catch up on your favorite Netflix show that you had to take a break from, or just lay in bed all day and relax! You will learn to LOVE rain days. Even better, if your farmer is in the mood to do something out of the house, you can take a day trip that you’ve been wanting to go on, or go to that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. (We had a rain delay yesterday and went to a new winery, which we LOVED and really enjoyed)
2. Start that new hobby you’ve been wanting to try. What better time to start a new hobby than when you have the house to yourself and some ‘you time’? I know I get so busy with my own schedule and when Blake and I are both home we want to spend time together, but if it is just you home open some wine and craft away. Better yet, invite the girls over and have a wine and craft night!
3. Trust the process. I know that it will be hard, it will be crazy, and it will be trying, but trust me when I say they are doing the best they can. It is hard on everyone involved. BUT it will be so rewarding in the end. I love seeing the crops start to pop up through the ground, to me, it makes everything seem worth it.

Advice from the Farmer: “Patience is key. You have to learn that you can’t always do what you want when you want, you need to be flexible and adaptive. The hardest part for people to understand is there is now a set schedule in crop farming- a deadline. You could be hauling grain in the morning then switch to planting in the afternoon and plant all night. The ground could dry out halfway through the day and you have to stop what you’re doing and get in the fields. So, in a nutshell, be patient.”