The Tobacco Diaries

Week 5: Busy!

The rain has left us, and in its wake, 90+ degree heat. No complaints though, farming is back in session full force. Wheat harvest has begun, which will immediately be followed by planting wheat beans. They are named wheat beans simply because they are planted on the ground that has just been harvested for wheat. This is a great way to utilize the land. Wheat is a cover crop that helps with soil erosion. Just another way that farmers are giving back to the land! 

The tobacco continues to need constant attention and below is a picture of the applicator that was used to fertilize it. Contrary to popular belief, not all tractor's have radios and air conditioners. As you can see this one utilizes nature's air conditioning, which at the moment is not much. Tobacco really likes hot, humid air and, in fact, thrives in this type of environment. 

Week 5

Life is as busy as ever, with my husband gone from dawn 'til dark I continue my household duties with three young children and also become the lunch delivery service and chauffeur from field to field. If nothing else does, the constant running is enough to wear anyone out. Luckily, my brother is able to help drive semis and the grain cart and my mother-in-law always swoops in at just the right time to take the boys to play at her house. My sanity is saved! Thank goodness for family. So, as I bumpity, bump through fields and drive down old dirt roads like the Dukes of Hazzard, because farmers are always in a hurry and you just can't get there fast enough, sometimes I catch myself thinking, "The city sure is nice." But really, I would eventually miss the wide open spaces and the breathtaking views that can only be attributed to God the creator. 

God Bless! 

The Tobacco Diaries

Weeks 3 and 4: Rain, Rain, and more Rain!  

I got a little behind and so have to combine weeks 3 and 4. That is not an altogether bad thing considering about all I have to report on is that it has rained... A lot! 8-10 inches in two weeks according to the rain gauge.  And, you guessed it, tobacco does not need a lot of rain. Or as my husband puts it, tobacco does not like to have wet feet. It is nearly impossible to have an excellent row crop year and tobacco year at the same time. One will either have too much water or not enough. That is where irrigation comes in handy. At this moment, it does not appear that the irrigation reels will be making an appearance any time soon. 
So, now we wait for things to dry up and continue to have faith that all things happen as they are supposed to.

Week 3

            

Week 4

Always the optimist, the rain did allow a few slow days. I was able to travel to Owensboro for a day to celebrate the ordination of two priests. One that will be joining my home parish. It was a beautiful celebration and, as I sat watching, these words kept running through my mind, "Not my will be done, but yours God." 

As I write this, the sun is shining and the skies are blue. A reminder of God's mercy and grace. 

God Bless! 

The Tobacco Diaries

Week 2: Grow, Grow, Grow

The first several acres of tobacco are in the ground and growing strong.
We thought irrigation was going to be necessary during the first few days but God took care of that for us! I kind of dread irrigating because it means even later nights and earlier mornings. I was so happy when I awoke in the middle of the night to rain falling on the roof, I sat up in bed and announced that "It's raining!". To which my husband replied with a snore and a flop. It's the little things that make a farmers wife happy!

Because of the intensive labor that is required when harvesting tobacco and the volatile weather, several acres are set at different times. This allows time between harvests to take a little breather. Of course when you also are a row crop farmer, it's not a break just a change of scenery!
So, the second setting is complete and we await wheat harvest before the third and final setting is complete. The fun task of walking through the rows of tobacco with a hoe to pull dirt to the plants and get any weeds has now begun and will continue until the plant is big enough to shade out the weeds.

Until next time, God bless!

Week 2