A Year in the Life A Year in the Life of a Farmerof a Farmer

If I was to look at a If I was to look at a farmer’s calendar, what farmer’s calendar, what

would I see?would I see?

AprilApril

The farm year does not start in January. It starts The farm year does not start in January. It starts in April (spring time) instead.in April (spring time) instead.

Time for the farmers to get their year organized Time for the farmers to get their year organized by fixing machinery and getting seed and other by fixing machinery and getting seed and other supplies on hand.supplies on hand.

MayMay

The ground is finally warm! It is time to plant the The ground is finally warm! It is time to plant the crops. This is called ‘seeding’.crops. This is called ‘seeding’.

Similar to planting a garden, but the garden is so Similar to planting a garden, but the garden is so big that you need a machine to help.big that you need a machine to help.

First, the farmer needs to fertilize the soil and kill First, the farmer needs to fertilize the soil and kill all the weeds in the field. all the weeds in the field.

Then the farmer uses his air seeder and plants Then the farmer uses his air seeder and plants the crop. The ground needs to be warm and moist the crop. The ground needs to be warm and moist for the crop to begin grow. for the crop to begin grow.

If a farmer or rancher has cows, this is If a farmer or rancher has cows, this is the time when most calves (babies) are born.the time when most calves (babies) are born.

JuneJune

Now that the crop has had some heat and Now that the crop has had some heat and moisture, it has grown to have 2 – 4 leaves. moisture, it has grown to have 2 – 4 leaves. Weeds will have grown in the crop also. The Weeds will have grown in the crop also. The farmer does not want to have any weeds.farmer does not want to have any weeds.

To get rid of the weeds, the farmer has to spray To get rid of the weeds, the farmer has to spray his crop with chemicals to kill the weeds. A his crop with chemicals to kill the weeds. A farmer has to know the right chemicals to use so farmer has to know the right chemicals to use so kill only the weeds.kill only the weeds.

JulyJuly

During the summer, the farmer watches his crop grow During the summer, the farmer watches his crop grow to be strong and healthy. to be strong and healthy.

A farmer’s crop needs just the right about of heat and A farmer’s crop needs just the right about of heat and rain to mature and become plentiful.rain to mature and become plentiful.

If a farmer has cows, July is the best month for the hay If a farmer has cows, July is the best month for the hay to be cut for food.to be cut for food.

AugustAugust In August, farmers begin to get ready for harvest.In August, farmers begin to get ready for harvest. Harvest is when the grain is combined so the Harvest is when the grain is combined so the

farmers can sell it and make money.farmers can sell it and make money. Farmers need to get their combines, grain trucks, Farmers need to get their combines, grain trucks,

and augurs ready by making sure they are and augurs ready by making sure they are working properly and not broken.working properly and not broken.

The farmers do not want any rain during the last The farmers do not want any rain during the last 2 weeks of August because they are relying on 2 weeks of August because they are relying on the sun’s heat to dry and kill their crops.the sun’s heat to dry and kill their crops.

If the crop is not given enough sun to fully mature If the crop is not given enough sun to fully mature and stays cool and wet for a long period of time, and stays cool and wet for a long period of time, it will rot and spoil.it will rot and spoil.

September – OctoberSeptember – October

The fall is known to be the time of harvest. We The fall is known to be the time of harvest. We give thanks to the harvest during Thanksgiving.give thanks to the harvest during Thanksgiving.

Sometimes, harvest does not take all of Sometimes, harvest does not take all of September and October to complete. It all September and October to complete. It all depends on the weather.depends on the weather.

A farmer can not combine his grain if it is A farmer can not combine his grain if it is too wet because it will rot. Sometimes, a too wet because it will rot. Sometimes, a farmer must use his dryer to help the farmer must use his dryer to help the grain dry.grain dry.

November - MarchNovember - March

The winter is spent repairing machinery and The winter is spent repairing machinery and spending time with his family. A farmer also will spending time with his family. A farmer also will sell lots of grain over the winter months to earn sell lots of grain over the winter months to earn his living. his living.

If a farmer has cattle or other live stalk, then the If a farmer has cattle or other live stalk, then the winter months are spent feeding the animals and winter months are spent feeding the animals and making sure they do not get sick on the cold making sure they do not get sick on the cold weather.weather.