One of the things I often run into is a misperception that farm life winds down once the fall harvest is over. And while much of the world has the luxury of spending these chilly months snuggling up under a blanket with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and Netflix, for farmers, it’s business as usual. (But with more layers of clothing.)
So, what do farmers do in the winter? They make a lot of coffee. They fuel and warm up with a steady supply of caffeine (Some folks stir in sugar. Others pour in Louisa’s Liqueur. (Either way, I don’t judge!)
The winter work is never done. Farmers are always fixing stuff. My granddaddy always said, “If things aren’t breaking then you aren’t using them enough.” There is always machinery to be maintained, fences to be mended and more coffee to be consumed.
When they’re not caring for the machines, they’re caring for the creatures who depend on them. Most farmers have to put out feed and water for the livestock each day.
A typical daily agenda might go something like:
1. Make coffee
2. Put on warm clothes
3) Warm up the tractor or the truck to go feed the cows or check on the fences.
4) Snuggle into the tractor with your Honey and go for a ride. (Fun fact: a lot of farm kids are born in August, September and October. Draw your own conclusions here…)
If you want to learn more about rural Tennessee culture and the life of our local farmers, our tours are happening all year long.
