The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

What Is The Farmer Doing?

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

22 September 1999

For years now, I've been wondering how farmers can spend such long days away from home with little time left for home chores and social activities.

Having grown up in town, I could only imagine what a day could be like. I thought farmers would have more time to be flexible than factory workers because they worked at home.

I understand the busy planting and harvest seasons, and when baby animals are being born.

But, I can never understand how it could take six days a week or more, year around, to successfully get their work done and make a living at it.

I know that farmers periodically have tough times, and it is partically true now. The economic outlook in agriculture is poor. Prices are low and there is limited markets for their products.

I understand this, but, what I can't figure out, is "What is my husband and other farmers doing all day long, from early morning until night? And, why do they keep on with these long endless days without breaks?

Living in town and not on the property that we farm has not helped me either.

Recently, however, I spotted several unusual sheets of paper in my husband's papers he had on the table.

One had something to do with a guy addicted to beans, another about blondes, and then I ran across the most interesting paper entitled:

"A Day In The Life Of A Farmer." Finally, I was going to get my question answered.

When I finished reading it, I glanced at my husband, and he said: "I wish."

A Day In The Life Of A Farmer

5:00 a.m. Wake up

5:30 a.m. Check on hired hands

6:00 a.m. Breakfast at local cafe

7:00 a.m. Trip to Farm King

7:45 a.m. Check Lottery Numbers

8:00 a.m. DROP WIFE OFF AT REAL JOB

8:15 a.m. Drive slow down middle of gravel road and check corn and beans.

8:30 a.m. Stop by elevator and watch corn slide down grate.

8:45 a.m. Drive tractor down Main Street blocking both lanes.

9:00 a.m. Back to cafe for snack

9:30 a.m. check mail for latest Government check

10:00 a.m. Farm Report, radio

10:15 a.m. Banking

10:20 a.m. Hit on bank teller at drive-thru

10:30 a.m. Stop by Post Office to gripe at post office employees about late government check.

11:00 a.m. Update on Farm Report on 95Q

11:15 a.m. Check with M.D. about irregular pulse.

11:30 a.m. Start thinking about lunch.

11:45 a.m. Stop by implement dealer to check out new fall colors on hats and jackets.

12:00 noon: Lunch

12:45 p.m.: B.S. session

1:00 p.m. Stop by home for Rolaids and bathroom

1:15 p.m. Begin painting shed

1:20 p.m. End painting shed

1:30 p.m. Jeopardy

2:00 p.m. Regis & Cathy Lee

2:30 p.m. Days of Our Lives

2:45 p.m. Nap

3:00 p.m. Cartoons

3:15 p.m. Afternoon Farm Report. Check out TV weather girl.

3:20 p.m. Stop by and look at new Dodge Ram pickups

3:30 p.m. Final Market Check from Jim

3:45 p.m. Call Commodities broker

4:00 p.m. Gas up pickup and socialize

4:30 p.m. See CPA about lastest tax deduction.

5:00 p.m. PICK UP WIFE AT WORK

5:30 p.m. Dinner

6:00 p.m.-on.... Rest after a very hard day?!?!?