Thankful for the Buddy Seat

I've been around farming my whole life. So many memories created from being in the field.

Riding in the combine with dad.

Meals in the field.

Hay season.

Learning to drive the tractor.

.... and so so much more...

I remember back to my early childhood days riding in the combine with my dad. There wasn't a buddy seat in the combine back then, so we sat on the cab floor a lot, even taking naps occasionally laying on a Carhart coat. My dad created a make-shift buddy seat in the inside of his old Gleaner combine by bolting a board up behind the seat.

These days, I am thankful for the Buddy Seat! Every year I help my dad in the field during hay season and harvest. Much of the time I have at least one kiddo with me. I'm thankful that I can bring them with me.

It makes me so happy that I can raise my family with the same upbringing that my husband and I had. Equipment is more modern now, and technology has advanced a great deal, but they are seeing where food comes from and involved in the process themselves. From planting the seeds, working the ground and to harvest, my kids understand the value of the harvest.

My youngest started trying out the buddy seat at 2 months old. The older kiddos might ride for a few hours after picking them up from school. They are getting a front row seat at full production. I love seeing them enjoy the same type of experience I had as a child.

My childhood memories all carry over into my adult life and I cherish them so much.

Something that I particularly love is the fact that I am able to share those same memories with my kids between our own small farm and helping out with our family's farm.

One of my favorites growing up, jumping the round bale rows. So fun to share the same memories with my kids.

From helping plant seeds in our garden, to doing chores for our farm animals, to riding in the buddy seat in the tractor or combine during harvest, I'm thankful that my children get to experience farm life, even from the buddy seat.

New Chicks on the Farm

A few of our hens have recently been sitting on their eggs. We have watched and candled them to see if they are close to hatching.

This mother hen's eggs have started hatching and we have new chicks on the farm.

Our 4th Little Farmer

And just like that our 4th little farmer was born....and is now 3 months old. Today actually.

Wow does it go fast!!

But what a joy she has been!

I'm not quite sure where time has gone, but it has passed by so quickly that I am making sure to embrace so many precious moments with her. She has gone from our 9 lb 10 oz newborn to a smiley 3 month old full of personality already!

She enjoyed her first months be toted around from the farmers market, soccer and basketball games for her siblings, and tractor rides with me as I run the auger cart. 

I thought it was fitting for her to have produce in her newborn photos since we grow produce and she was born when the season is most plentiful of a variety of different vegetables. So I brought a variety of produce to her newborn photo session. 

She fits in perfectly with the rest of our crew!! 

As the months go by, we will be sure to cherish and enjoy every snuggle, smile, and everything else with our little Haddie! 

Newborn photos by Amanda Trebley Photography

Monthly blanket from Batzkids

Why do farmers use an auger cart during harvest?

An auger cart is a very much appreciated piece of equipment during harvest season. When weather conditions are right, a farmer wants to get the crops harvested in a timely manor. Being efficient during harvest season helps with time. Using an auger cart during harvest is one way to help with efficiency in the field.

I remember growing up riding with my dad or grandpa in the combine. In the cab of the combine, there was window in the back that looked into the hopper of the combine. When the window was covered with corn or soybeans, I knew the hopper was close to full and it was almost time to dump into the grain truck. In a long field, I have some memories of not getting down and back the full length of field before having to empty the hopper, so would have to stop mid length, pull out of the rows and go unload in the truck waiting to be filled.

                             
 A picture of my grandpa helping me, in my little years, out of the combine from riding with my dad.

Efficiency has increased for farmers over the years.

So what is the role of an auger cart during harvest?

Farmers are able to continue combining with the use of an auger cart. The auger cart allows the farmer to continue harvesting while unloading grain into the cart, so they don't have to stop to fill the semi.

Without an auger cart, a lot of time is spent to go back to the semi to unload, creating a longer amount of time to get the crops harvested. With higher yields of corn and soybeans the combine is full faster and the auger cart is so helpful with efficiency.

The auger cart is pulled by a tractor. The tractor driver waits in the field until the combine is close to full and ready to unload. The combine has lights on the outside that flash, which helps signal the tractor driver that the combine needs to unload. The tractor driver then pulls up beside the combine and the farmer can then unload the combine into the auger cart - on the go!

This is done a few times until the auger cart is full. Then the tractor driver pulls up to the semi and unloads into the semi, all while the farmer is continuing to harvest the crop with the combine.

I help my dad and brother in the field during harvest as the auger cart driver.

Harvest is one of my favorite times of year! So many memories growing up during harvest season and love that my kids can experience it and create memories as well.

How to Care for Chickens in the Winter

Winter is here and like preparing everything else for the winter months, it is also important to plan ahead when caring for animals in the winter. In this post, I will discuss a few simple checkpoints on how to care for your chickens in the winter.

We have had our own backyard chickens for about 3 years now. This fall we built our chickens a new chicken house for them to have more room. When it comes to our chickens, I love saying the expression "If you take care of them, they will take care of you," as we usually get several dozen eggs each week from our chickens. We definitely enjoy using fresh farm eggs for our meals, cooking, and baking. Chickens are pretty easy to care for, but you also might be interested in knowing some extra tips for how to care for them in the winter months. They are pretty hearty birds and can handle cooler temperatures if provided adequate necessities in those cooler winter months.

Provide a strong wind barrier. By providing a chicken coop or chicken house for the chickens will help the chickens stay warm and out of the wind. Each fall we check over the chicken house, winterize it, and make sure its not drafty for the chickens.

Fresh water. Chickens need a good amount of water to produce eggs. Since it is likely that the water will freeze in the winter time, you might invest in a heated water pan or also be sure to provide fresh water to the chickens a few times a day. Chickens can often make a mess out of their water pan, so I would suggest not leaving it in the area of the chicken house where it would wet the bedding. Maybe keep water pan outside or in an area with less traffic. Keep extra waterers on hand incase you need to switch out ones that have frozen over.

Provide protein rich feed. Added nutrients will be valuable for the chickens during the cooler winter months. This will give them extra energy and help them stay warm as well.

Good ventilation. During the cooler temperatures, chickens like to crowd together to stay warm. Moisture should not be able to accumulate and freeze. Good ventilation will help keep the chicken house dry and also prevent sickness in the chickens.

Provide good bedding.  Use straw or shavings to keep the chicken coop floor dry and comfortable for the chickens to live in. Changing the bedding frequently will also help keep the chicken coop dry maintaining a healthy chicken coop.

Use a heat lamp. Adding a supplemental heat source will help prolong egg laying. Once the chickens are all nestled together they provide their own heat source with their bodies that is adequate for the cooler temperatures. A heat lamp isn't necessary, but they are often used. Use with caution.

Check chicken nests often.  If your chickens are laying well, you will still want to check their nests often to be sure you gather eggs often. This will prevent the egg from freezing.


A few simple steps during the winter months will help your chickens remain healthy and stay happy chickens.

What to do with leftover pumpkins?

Did you decorate your home with pumpkins this Fall? Did you carve designs in pumpkins with the kids? What do you do with your pumpkins after the season is over? Here are some ideas of different things you can do with the pumpkins you have carved or simply placed around for decoration.

I like to decorate around my house with groupings of pumpkins and squash to add a touch of Fall to different areas of my yard. The kids also like to carve some designs into their pumpkins and place on the front steps. You've seen all the fun designs from characters, to scenery images, to different faces, and everything in between. We simply let them draw a face on their pumpkin and use the carving knife and carve their designs. Some really fun faces are the end result and they are so proud!

After Halloween, our carved pumpkins are looking pretty sad. I am one that thinks of Thanksgiving as a Fall holiday, so I'm not one to put out Christmas decor until after, but our carved pumpkins simply don't last that long.

Here are some ideas to do with your CARVED PUMPKINS:

-Feed the wildlife. A pumpkin that you would otherwise throw away, could be a treat for animals in nature. Depending where you live, left over pumpkins (carved or not, and left over seeds) can be a perfect snack for deer and birds. If you have chickens, you can also toss the pumpkins to them. Simply cut the pumpkin shell into several pieces and toss them out away from your house for deer or birds to nibble on. You might also place unwanted pumpkin seeds in a bird feeder and hang from a tree for the birds to enjoy. Be sure to not feed any moldy pumpkins.
                -You could also make the pumpkin shell be the bird feeder itself by cutting it in half and                      filling with bird seed.

-Add to your compost pile. Cut the pumpkin up into several pieces and place in your compost pile to breakdown. Don't have a compost pile? Simply cut the pumpkin in small pieces and scatter it in your garden. It will breakdown and add nutrients to the soil.

If you don't have any carved pumpkins at your home, you might be looking for ideas to do something your uncarved pumpkins. There are a variety of food options you can do. Do not use your carved pumpkin for food choices. After a pumpkin is carved and sitting out, it is unsafe to eat.

The following are ideas for UNCARVED PUMPKINS:

-Make a pumpkin planter. Great use for a carved or uncarved pumpkin. Stop by the garden shop and pick up some flowers. Maybe some pansies, a mum, or ornamental kale (cool crop flowers here in Indiana).You can cut the top off your pumpkin and plant flowers in the top to make a planter. Later you can plant the whole pumpkin in the ground. The pumpkin will break down, and your flowers will continue to grow in fertilized soil.

-Make pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree is super easy to do and a great way to use the fleshy insides of the pumpkin. Scoop out all the seeds and guts and set them aside for another use. Cut your pumpkin in half and place it upside down in a baking dish with about a cup of water. Bake the pumpkin for about an hour or until the fleshy insides are tender. Scoop out the tender flesh and puree it in a food processor. You will now have pumpkin puree for all your favorite pumpkin recipes. You can also store it in the freezer for several months.

-Roasted pumpkin seeds. What a great way to use the seeds of the pumpkin by roasting them. There are so many recipes and you can season them to your liking.

-Dry the pumpkin seeds and save for next year. You might want to try growing your own pumpkins next season. Clean the pumpkin seeds off and let them dry. Place them in a storage container or bag and plan them next year in your garden and grow your own pumpkins.

-Have some fun with your pumpkins! If you don't particularly want to do anything else with your pumpkins, why not have some fun with it! Have you heard of pumpkin chuckin' with a catapult? Make your own catapult or sling shot, and see how far your pumpkin will fly through the air. Or simply see how far you can throw the pumpkin.

What will you decide to do with your left over pumpkins? Hope you can enjoy one or a few of these options instead of just letting them rot away.

-