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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer May 31, 2004- - No. 30 |
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Seeds of corn are yet to be put into endless rows that stretch to the back of the farms. Lands are in waiting for soybean plantings, later than usual this year. A delayed spring hay seeding or even a patch of oats could still be sown over there on the "West Forty." That is, if this season's overly abundant spring rains would only ease off for a time.
Waterways along the roads flow with surface runoff more days than not. The creeks and rivers run non stop to keep up with the sporadic but constant downpours. Ducks and geese discover temporary hangouts on fields flooded and absent of spring planting activities usually so involved these weeks of the year.
The farmer is restless. The first days of June are near, only a few days off. There is a pile of work yet to be done in the open fields. First cutting of the new seasons hay crop approaches. This year, as in other wetter than average springs, will mean planting and harvesting all within a very short time frame. Lights that guide farm equipment over endless acres of soil will be noticeable out on the land, far into the night this planting season.
And what to say of it all! The unpredictableness of the weather. A thousand other variables. Would a person of the land trade this line of work in for another means to a livelihood - likely not, even for twice the pay |
