A finished project

There is a ditch on the farm that is used to irrigate a wheat field that has not been working well.  Joel and our employee Blaine put in a pipe to make it more efficient.  Joel's the man for the job because, as he always tells me, "If there's one thing I know how to do, it's lay pipe in the ground."

 The master at work.

 Joel and Blaine planning their strategy.  The ditch is on the right.

 Tools needed: a backhoe and someone bossy to run it, pipe, laser leveling device, a shovel and someone to stand in the ditch and take orders. 

 Making sure the pipe is level with the laser.

 Working down the ditch.  The pipe will go under the road and fork in a Y shape to run along side the top of the field.

 Taking out an old pipe.

 Leveling the ground where a new cement box will divert the water at the Y.

 Moving the cement box inch by inch.

 Perched precariously.

 Joel then got the pipes all connected to the cement box.  All that's left is pouring concrete to secure everything in place.

 And he's done.  This will make it easier and less wasteful to water this wheat field.

And what a pretty wheat field it is.

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Today

Joel had the kids come out today to help him with a small project.

 Here comes Dad!

Gloves on for safety. Joel needed all that pipe loaded onto the trailer. Get to work kids.

This pipe had been used for surface irrigation where there was no ditch or canal nearby.  These tubes were on top of the ground and had water flow through them to water fields.  Then they had to be moved by hand to water another area. Joel has put in a new irrigation system so these are no longer needed.

M is hammering off plastic pieces.  No injuries to report.

 

I took photos of the rest of us not working.  W is entertaining the cows with his stare.

 A pretty view.

 Always rocks to throw.

 Always.

There was a family of rock chucks living in one of the pipes. E mothered the babies and asked to take them home.  One reason to be glad we're living in an apartment- no pets allowed.  We had a long conversation about rabies and mother animals protecting their young.

 The last pipe was a two man job.

 All done and making faces.

 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

The Roots

 Here are the roots of an alfalfa plant.  Can you believe that? I had no idea. 

 The roots can get much deeper than this little plant which means they can tolerate drought-like conditions.  Alfalfa reseeds itself and grows for a few years before we rotate the fields. 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Farm Field Days

Farm Field Days is a fun field trip opportunity for kids to visit and learn more about farms.  I helped out with our county and we taught the kids about wheat.  We had them make a living necklace.  A living necklace is a little baggie with seeds and a wet cotton ball.  Placed next to a window, to receive sunlight, it will sprout and then can then be planted in the soil.  We also talked about what food comes from wheat and where the kids' favorite food comes from.  We broke down pizza, mac and cheese, ice cream.  It was fun to have the parents shout out answers to the questions I was asking the kids.  I think they were just as excited to figure out where their food comes from.  Because, really, do you think about it very often?  I love teaching.  This was fun for me.  It was also a neat surprise to see volunteer moms come through with the field trip groups who were my friends.  Surprise!  Old friends!  We had about 1600 kids (I think) come through during the two days. Now I need a nap. Here are some photos of me talking awkwardly about wheat. (Thanks to Neal Briggs, our Farm Bureau county president on the right, for the photos.)

 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.