PAGE 6
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — APRIL 30/MAY 7, 2021
‘Cleaning up’ in farming … not exactly what I had in mind As a woman of the farm, I’ve cleaned up overs now and then, glass to pick up from my share of messes. tractor windows that break, tools following a major equipment overhaul, paint No matter who is running the farming cans that fall off of a project and end up operation, be it known there are plenty of coloring the floor, bales that break open messes which need to be tended to — when they fall off of the bale elevator, inside and outside of the house. piles of grain on the ground from a cart I can’t even count the number of times I operator who hit the wrong button in the have stepped into the mud room in our dark (once again, there’s five bucks in it basement and been confounded by the if you swear that I’ve never done that to TABLE TALK manure-covered farm fashion accessory my husband or anyone helping us…); and By Karen Schwaller sometimes there is a marriage to clean tornado I had apparently missed. up when husbands and wives work I have yet to hear of a room in a farm together, hours are long and tempers and house officially titled on house plans, “the patience run short. manure room.” After all, on a livestock farm, that’s mostly what’s in there, isn’t it? And even with all the stress that comes from those things, it’s no less stressful in the house. If Those from a generation or two before us on the farm might even think differently about what actu- you had ever stepped into our basement and seen the laundry piles down there when our family was ally constitutes a mess. My husband tells of a time growing up, you would know what liquid was really when his grandparents were visiting, and during in the stain remover bottle. There were piles of ‘regthat time he and his sister had paid a visit to the local taco venue and brought their delights home to ular’ dirty work clothes for farm, school and office jobs; filthy hog farm work clothes; and clothes that devour. As they were opening them up to add more heat to them, his grandfather just blurted out what needed a high-pressure hose and an exorcism before he was thinking as he laid his eyes upon the prized they were brought into the house. taco filling that was so highly anticipated by my There are sick days that necessitate the washing husband and his sister. of sheets, clothing and carpets (which may have at “I’ve cleaned up better looking messes than that,” least appeared clean beforehand). There are canning days after which the top of the stove needs a hamhe uttered. Outside, there are messes in the barn from the nature calls of all those animals living there; messes from birthing or even when someone left the hydrant running during chores. If my husband asks you if I did that last week, I’ll give you five bucks to say I didn’t. There are hog buildings and semi trailers to power wash, snow to move and messes that weasels and rats can seem to generate just by their very presence. There are oil spills on the shop floor, fuel run-
EARLY DEADLINE
for THE LAND on June 4, 2021 DISPLAY ADS - Ad copy due Wednesday, May 26 CLASSIFIED LINE ADS - Ad copy due Thursday, May 27 at Noon
THE LAND office will be closed
on Memorial Day
mer and chisel; corn shucks, mud and snakes to sweep out of the garage; basements to dry out after the washing machine breaks or the access plug to the sewer pipe blows (don’t ask how I know that). There’s the degreasing of clothing, hands and towels, and sometimes even the messy job of untangling family members who have gotten into a spat they can’t seem to solve on their own. But with all of the different messes there are to clean up, there is one mess I don’t even mind happening … and that’s the mess of wrapping paper and all the gift trimmings on the floor on Christmas Eve/morning. It’s brilliant with color, pregnant with joy and anticipation, sprinkled with wonder and laughter, and founded in the love of people we never even knew from generations before us, who are the reason for today’s room full of people who are all connected to each other in one way or another. Some messes are worth cleaning up, if only because they mean we have a family to love, and who loves us. It’s the greatest gift — and the greatest mess — of all. But I’ll still give you five bucks if you swear that dent in the shed door wasn’t my doing. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v
Think about equipment safety this spring Now is an excellent time to think about what you can do to prepare for a safe planting season. Remember, safety on the farm needs to be practiced every day no matter the task you, your family or your farm employees are doing. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, agriculture continues to rank amongst the most hazardous industries. Approximately, 416 farmers and farm workers died from a work-related injury in 2017, resulting in a fatality rate of 20.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. Transportation incidents, including tractor overturns, were the leading cause of death for farmers and farm workers. Approximately 100 agricultural workers suffer lost work-time injuries every day. The University of Minnesota Extension, in partnership with American Family Insurance has launched a new series of farm safety videos. The purpose of this project is to share crucial farm safety messages and reminders with the agricultural community. The videos are all shorter than five minutes and provide a mix of information, demonstration and discussion.
As you prepare for planting season, here are several suggestions to keep in mind: Before operating, fully understand the equipment’s capabilities and hazard potential. Don’t use equipment for tasks that it was not designed for. Use all modern safety features such as rollover protection structures, personal protective equipment and seat belts. Also remember, one seat equals one person. Not only do extra riders distract the operator, but there is also no safe place in the majority of farm equipment for an additional person. It is important to understand all laws of the center of gravity and centrifugal force to prevent rollovers. Follow all manufacturer’s recommendations for pulling equipment with the hitch and/or using the hydraulic lifts on the equipment — including proper bucket position and hitch points. Use handholds and care when getting on and off equipment to avoid slips and falls. Also, ensure the equipment is properly maintained and cared for.
This article was submitted by Karen Johnson, The first video in the series covers roadway safety University of Minnesota Extension. v and includes information about pre-trip inspections, equipment for roadway safety, and safe driving habits. The video can be found at https://z.umn.edu/ AgRoadwaySafetyVideo.
