Courtesy Lyle Woods
Managing editor Lisa Munniksma, along with associate web editor Rachael Brugger (seated) and assistant editor Krissa Smith (at right), met with farmers and industry leaders at the National Farm Machinery Show in February 2010. |
Farmers tend to be more in-tune with the seasons than “regular” folks. It’s not because we have extrasensory perception—it just happens because we’re out there working. When you’re at an 8-to-5 office job and then return to the confines of your comfy home, it’s easy to miss the subtle changes of light and darkness; the early morning air that turns gradually from blustery to brisk to pleasant; and the songs of different birds as they migrate throughout the year. When you’re working in nature every day—even for those of us who have office jobs in addition—you get to experience it all and come to appreciate the passage of time.
I’m writing this note a few weeks after attending the National Farm Machinery Show with fellow HF editors. It was held in February, after an average-sized snowstorm blew through Kentucky earlier in the week. The show was busy, and we mused that it could be blamed on cabin fever.
I realized, though, that the whole reason we—farmers, industry representatives and everyone else—were there was in anticipation of the coming season. Sure, there was snow-removal equipment on display, but what we were itching to see were the new tractors, the tillers, the planters—the stuff we’d get to try out in spring and summer. May and June have been my favorite months ever since I was old enough to understand there was something special about the outdoors. Among farmers—and especially at the expo center that week—I know I’m not alone.
With our many similarities, we have a lot of differences, too. You might say that if you ask two farmers a question, you’ll get three answers. And that’s why we’re conducting a survey about you and what you’d like to see in Hobby Farms. If you’re like me, you’d rather be outside than filling out a form, so we made it short and sweet. (Click here to complete the reader survey.)
To sweeten the deal, we even have a generous supporter giving away prizes that will be randomly drawn from survey entrants. I’m excited to learn more about why you’re here, especially as we plan the articles and website extras for upcoming issues.