The hot, cold and just right days on the farm

Key Takeaways:

• Johnson experienced both the coldest and hottest days during his farming assignments in 2024.
• He expresses sincere thanks to his readers for their support throughout the year.
• Highlights the physical challenges faced, such as filming in sub-zero temperatures and working in high heat.
• Shares stories from various assignments, including a boar stud farm, high tunnel farming, and a garlic farm.
• Emphasizes the warmth and surprises from the farming community that enriched his experiences.

A Year of Extremes: Reflecting on 2024’s Farming Adventures

As the new year unfolds, agricultural columnist Michael Johnson takes a moment to thank his readers for their unwavering support throughout 2024. “Despite the abundance of things you could be doing instead, you took time to read, and for that, I am very grateful,” he writes, acknowledging both the busy schedules of his audience and the dedicated retirees who devour his columns over coffee and leftover Christmas cookies.

Braving the Bitter Cold

Johnson’s coldest assignment took him to a boar stud farm near Staples, Minnesota, on a day when temperatures plummeted to double digits below zero. Attempting to film outside for AgweekTV, he found himself struggling against the numbing cold. “As I hit record and repeatedly messed up my lines, my fingers went numb to the point that I struggled to retrieve my keys out of my jacket pocket,” he recalls. The harsh weather not only hampered his filming but also led to technical glitches, leaving him with unusable footage and a heartfelt lesson: “Don’t try to do a recording outside when it’s double-digits below zero.”

Sweating Under the Sun

In stark contrast, Johnson’s hottest days were spent tending to his own farm. Inside his high tunnel—a greenhouse-like structure—the temperature soared to nearly 100 degrees, despite outdoor temperatures being around 80 degrees. “The humidity was high enough that it was basically a solar-powered sauna,” he notes. Another sweltering experience came in October while processing his third batch of butcher chickens. “I sweated away over the large pot of steaming water as I dipped each chicken before sending it through the plucker,” he shares, highlighting the relentless nature of farm work regardless of the season.

A Warm Welcome Up North

Traveling to Oklee, Minnesota, Johnson attended a small grains tour on one of the year’s warmest mornings. Amidst clammy conditions where “the dew hung on long after the hot sun had warmed up the air,” he was welcomed by farmers eager to learn about the best wheat varieties for their region. “Cold lemonade was welcomed by others on that mid-July morning,” he observes, appreciative of the community’s hospitality and dedication.

Climbing Hills and Unexpected Thrills

Perhaps the most picturesque yet challenging visit was to a garlic farm in Vergas, Minnesota. Navigating a two-track trail that “would have made a goat think twice,” Johnson arrived at Zachary Paige’s North Circle Seeds farm. The climb culminated in “a glorious plateau covered in acres of garlic.” The heat and humidity were intense, but the real surprise awaited him back at the farm where Paige picked up a banjo and played a tune. “I just enjoyed it,” Johnson reminisces, charmed by the unexpected performance and the ever-surprising farming community.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

Johnson concludes his reflections with heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their stories with him throughout the year. “To all those I got to visit with, thank you so much for sharing your story with me,” he writes. He invites readers to continue joining him on “abundant adventures” in the new year, eager to embrace whatever 2025 holds.