7 minute read
Column: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
By Pam Wormington
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Advertisement
You’ve heard all the sayings, “Bigger is better.” “He who dies with the most toys wins.” “The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. “ Blah Blah Blah. My boss finally got the big blue New Holland tractor he deserved complete with air conditioning, heat, forward-reverse shuttle shift, enclosed cab, yada yada yada. He claims he bought it for me because I can reach the peddles. Next, he’ll be trying to convince me to buy some swampland in Florida so that we can enjoy vacations together. But first I must mention that we have had the tractor for several years and I rarely drive it. I preferred to drive the Farmall 544 with none of the amenities except the gear pattern written in permanent marker on the loader bracket. It does have a radio but to hear it you must increase the volume to a point where the lyrics are unrecognizable. It does allow you to get a tan, farmer style and smell the fragrance of honeysuckle and fresh mowed hay. I’m a multi-tasker and this tractor allows me have a little pleasure while working. The boss asked me to brush hog the remaining pastures after we finished hay and I reluctantly agreed. That is how I usually succumb to work on the farm, reluctantly. He informed me that the brush hog was already hooked up to the New Holland. With that in mind, I had received a CRASH course in the morning and that afternoon I was to fly solo on HIS tractor. Everything was quiet on the farm that warm afternoon as I climbed into the big tractor; trying to remember everything I was taught. I adjusted the seat to petite, checked all the controls and
somewhat confidently began to move forward. I was continually looking behind me to watch the brush hog to make sure it was working properly. I felt something dragging but everything appeared to be in working order. So, I proceeded and figured an increase in throttle might solve the little dragging problem. Once I was sure everything behind me was working as planned, I turned around only to notice that the loader was not in the proper position. Apparently, when I adjusted my seat, I accidentally hit the joy stick and now the loader was in “plowing position.” The bucket was not on the loader therefore it made a nice double trench as I pushed it along the ground for several yards. I hit speed dial #2 on my cell phone or 911 for a farmer’s wife in trouble. I explained to him the situation and thought I might get points for diagnosing the problem myself. He was not impressed nor did I get any bonus points. I couldn’t even get fired. He was obviously not seeing the ‘joy’ in the stick problem. I resumed the assigned task of driving this big blue tractor while brush hogging with the air conditioning blowing hair in my face, unable to smell the flowers or even get a tan. I drove around in circles for 3 hours anticipating the arrival of the boss and his discovery of my plow job. I didn’t anticipate that he would make me fill in the trenches with a shovel. I now have blisters, calluses and a bad attitude. If only I had some tulip bulbs, this could have turned out to be a sweet-smelling mistake. And just like that, the farm wife gets a cute little Kubota tractor and again, he said he bought it so I could reach the peddles. I would have preferred an excuse like ‘she looks good in orange’ because peddles are not my problem but I will settle for whatever justification is needed until he asks me for justification for jewelry and then I can provide excuses until the cows come home.
Fresh air and Farm Life equals funny memories.
Kimberly Scritchfield, who is organizing volunteer efforts at this year’s Monett Community Garden, pulls some volunteer cilantro from the graveled pathways at the site. Scritchfield said cilantro in one of the vegetables that reseeds itself each fall, and the hardy crop will grow in nearly any environment.
Community Community Garden Garden
Many people have the desire to plant small produce patches to supplement their summer grocery purchases, but may not have the space to plant a variety of crops that can be harvested from early spring into late fall and early winter. Now, they have the option of digging their hands into the dirt to satisfy their green thumbs and the satisfaction of harvesting fresh, ripe produce to supplement their summer meals.
The Monett Community Garden is a collaborative effort between the Barry County Health Department and local volunteers to increase the availability of fresh produce for area residents willing to put in a bit of time and effort to reap those delicious rewards.
“I’ve started coming out on my days off when the weather is nice,” said Kimberly Scritchfield, who is organizing this year’s effort. “I’m doing some cleaning of the beds and prepping them for planting. In a couple of weeks, I will start seeds at home so they can get a good start before planting. We are planting several varieties of tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, kale, peppers, green beans, garlic, onions, broccoli and cauliflower. We will start with the early spring vegetables, like lettuce, kale, broccoli and cauliflower, first, and then as summer comes on, plant potatoes, tomatoes, beans and other summer produce. We might even plant some melons, this year.”
Monett Community Garden is located south of the Monett Police Department on Cleveland. As weather warms, Scritchfield will be looking for volunteers to help plant and maintain the beds, and take part in the harvest of produce. Some hearty cold weather vegetables managed to make it through the mild winter and will have a head start on growing deep roots for early harvest in the spring at the Monett Community Garden. Pictured are lettuce, kale and beets.
The key to the success of the garden is the volunteers who attend to the planting, weeding, watering and harvesting of produce.
“Anyone who signs up to help with the garden is allowed to harvest vegetables,” Scritchfield said. “If we have excess, we will donate it to Crosslines, to benefit others in the community.”
Tending to growing plants takes time and commitment from those hoping to reap the summer-fresh rewards.
“People sometimes come out on their days off and work a few hours,” Scritchfield said. “We are going to try to put in an irrigation system this year, so people won’t have to spend time watering when there is other maintenance that needs done — like pulling weeds.”
Larry Daniels • Realtor 417-846-7306
ldaniels@mo-net.com Kay McCullah • Realtor
417-342-3885 kdougmc@gmail.com Keisha Drost • Realtor
417-236-3832 agentkdrost@gmail.com Cindy Carr • Realtor
417-847-0156 ccarr7514@aol.com Hilari Stockton • Realtor
417-489-8903 hllarl.stockton@outlook.com Lea Hill • Realtor 417-847-0156 lea.4seasons@yahoo.com Patti Daniels • Broker
417-847-7995 patti4seasons@yahoo.com RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | FARMS | LAND
87 Main Street • Cassville, Mo. 417-847-0156
fax: 417-847-5009 www.fourseasonscassville.com
Fishing for that perfect home? Let us catch it for you!
Make Forever Memories!
Book your wedding now!
Stage • Kitchen • Bar • Dressing Rooms An Old West venue, right down to the saloon! Lil’ Boom Town Event Center, LLC
417-425-4233
809 N. Carnation Aurora, MO
LilBoomtownWedding@gmail.com • LilBoomtownWedding.com New covered outdoor venue available!
WHEN YOU NEED A PICK ME UP STOP BY FOR THE PERFECT CUP
417-665-1987 Mon-Fri: 6:30am-5pm & Sat: 7am-5pm Offering Your Favorite Specialty Coffee,Tea, or Smoothie Daily Lunch Specials from 11am-2pm Enjoy our Free Wifi while you Sit and Sip! Dine-in, Carry-out, or Drive-Thru potofcoffeecassville.square.site
Longer beds line the inner perimeter of the fenced off area where vegetables are grown. Kimberly Scritchfield, who is organizing volunteer efforts for this year’s garden, inspects some volunteer garlic springing up after a relatively mild winter so far.
Two of the larger raised beds are built specifically to meet the needs of those in wheelchairs for ease of access.
“This is a great way for people to get out in the sun and fresh air,” Scritchfield said. “It’s also relaxing.”
There are chores for those of all ages, even youngsters learning about growing cycles and plant maintenance, pruning, weeding and harvesting.
“I plan to have my husband and my own kids out here helping as we get the beds ready for planting,” she said. “The great thing about working out here is that people can be socially distanced, or come and go on their own schedules.”
For more information on the Monett Community Garden or to volunteer, contact Scritchfield at monettcommunitygarden@gmail. com. n
