KFB Insight: Winter connections

There have been clear signs we have transitioned into another season on the farm. The temperatures have dropped, the geese are flying and the kids are counting down the days until their winter break begins.

Fall harvest kept us busy for an extra month this year. We were extra thankful to wrap up that work during a season that presented many challenges.

There are still some farms in the area that didn’t finish before the last round of rain and still have some sorghum left to harvest. But more often than not, the grain is out of the fields and the cattle have begun to arrive to graze those stalks for the next few months.

On our farm, work in the office and shop have commenced. Visits from seed dealers have begun. And the winter meetings covering policy and education within agriculture are kicking off.

It also means that many of our nights or Saturdays are spent driving to and sitting in the rural school gyms scattered throughout our area to watch basketball games.

Following a season of AM radio in the tractor cab, meals eaten in the field and solo trips back and forth to the nearest elevator to deliver grain, the winter season of both meetings and games on the hardwood are a welcome change for both the introverts and extroverts in our family.

In both instances we are reconnecting with others in our communities.

There’s harvest debriefs, pest management discussions, market talks, seed evaluations and machinery comparisons all taking place over either donuts and coffee, barbecue lunches or concession stand meal deals.

All the while, there’s also talk of new offensive plays, discussion of early morning practices, reviews of bleacher seats and chats reminiscing the glory days of standing room-only games between rival towns.

Yes, this season provides a much-needed opportunity to reconnect with others.

There’s a lot to talk about. There’s a lot to learn about. There’s a lot of recommendations or decisions to make during this season.

Whether it’s in a meeting room full of cushioned chairs, discussion and gavel taps or a historic small-town gym full of banners and sneaker squeaks and cheering fans, I’m thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with others during this season.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. 

Originally a native of New Mexico, Kim has a unique career background as a teacher and a television news professional for PBS and NBC affiliates. She moved to Kansas to marry her husband, Adam, in 2010. With their children, Banks and Isannah, the family raises wheat, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and popcorn on their McPherson County farm. Kim teaches English and Journalism and serves as the Inman FFA assistant sponsor at Inman Junior/Senior High School.