With farm equipment scattered across the countryside, the familiar sights of harvest season are all around us.

I often think back to fall as a kid, riding in the combine with my grandpa or dad, eating snacks, and soaking in the excitement of the season.

Now, I realize I’ve stepped into their boots.

I’m the one giving combine rides to the younger generation, who someday will do the same.

Meals in the field are some of my favorite memories — taking a break from the busyness of harvest to share food and camaraderie as we work together as a family.

These moments remind me that harvest isn’t only about bringing in crops.

It’s about carrying forward a legacy, working side by side, and passing along the joy of each harvest to those who come after us.

As semis roll down country roads, the combines move back and forth through the familiar fields almost autonomously, gathering crops at record speeds.

Machines make light work of what was once long, exhausting labor, and the efficiency our equipment brings to the farm is invaluable.

Therefore, maintaining it is important.

How do you put those machines away? When you pull it out next spring or fall, will it be ready for work?

When harvest draws to a close, evaluate how you put equipment into storage. Keep notes on what needs to be done.

Weigh the cost of serious maintenance versus replacement, as well as what is feasible for your operation.

Just as we take time to nurture relationships and traditions, we also need to take care of the equipment that helps us do this work.

These machines are more than tools; they are the link between past and future harvests.

When we care for our equipment, we’re not just keeping the wheels turning today.

We’re ensuring that tomorrow’s generation can step into the cab, carry on the work, and build memories of their own.

If you have any questions about your operation or want to chat about this year’s harvest, give me a call at (605) 695-1433!