August is a transition month. You start to think about harvest. You know school is just around the corner. Planning has started for church activities. The nights start to feel just a bit cooler. It's no longer daylight at 5 am.
August is also a month for relationships and time for visits. It's State Fair time. On the farm it's a good time for vacations. It's a time when you load the Ranger with sweetcorn and visit neighbors. By the way, if any of you would like sweetcorn for free get a hold of any of our family. We have plenty.
August is when you have time to visit landlords, to thank them for being able to work with them, to talk about the current season as well as the transition into the next one. August is also a month to show your appreciation for the folks you work for and with.
You aren't going to believe this but we replanted 180 acres of soybeans this week. It was on the North Skunk River bottom and may well be just a cover crop to keep the weeds down.
You have to keep the small square baler shined up just for old times sake.
My father-in-law used to tell our kids that three days of loading bales without gloves would make their hands tough enough they didn't need them.
Believe it or not August is the month of transitioning into the new crop year for seed corn selling. It seems kick off meetings are earlier every year.
This past Thursday evening Mark and Stacy were asked to speak at a meeting about farming as a family and transitioning the farm and it's responsibility to the next generations. Looking down the tracks that transition is not a destination. It's a process.
My goal is to give the next generation the opportunity and responsibility to live their dream of farming while they are still young. That means being willing to move over and share responsibility, machinery, land, and capital.
In return they give back new ideas, a hard work ethic, a fun working atmosphere, and a caring heart. It's satisfying to see them become better at jobs than me. They also become assets in and contribute to the community as well as God's kingdom.
I want the next generation to have a chance to raise their kids the same way we raised ours.
So many farm transitions now days basically wait until the dad is unable. Many kids nowdays aren't willing to wait that long.
There is also the benefit of less income tax to pay when turning over land to the next generation and allowing them to use that income to raise your grandkids.
Instilling a love for farming doesn't start when your children get out of college and need a job. It starts by having them under your feet and giving them jobs before they start kindergarten.
God has a plan and purpose for all of us. Even when we are just little men.
During this transition month take time to enjoy life. Make time to visit friends. And don't wait until you are too old to watch your children and grandchildren develop their abilities and gifts.
"Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children are living in the truth." 3 John 1:4
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