Oregon Aglink Blog

Are We Ever Not Busy?

Posted on October 31, 2023
Woman smiling into camera against a light brown background
Oregon Aglink President Kathy Hadley

For many of us, harvest wrapped up in the last few months, or even just the last few weeks for our hazelnut and vineyard friends. I appreciate harvest for its simplicity. Even on the busiest of days, there’s really only a handful of things going on. At our farms, about two months consist almost entirely of servicing the swathers and combines, running said machines, and unloading trucks.

Fall though, is a different animal. I think the single most common thing I’m asked in September is, “Are things slowing down now?” And I just have to chuckle. No, no, not really. Just a different kind of busy. And with so many more things! Cleaning and winterizing all that summer equipment, tilling fields, planting, fertilizing, spraying–and with each one the weather factors in much more on any given day. I think its solidly November before I feel like I can take a breather. Even then, there’s plenty of winter projects, industry meetings and events, livestock that need more attention, and so on and so forth.

I write all of this for a couple reasons. First, all of us in agriculture truly are impressive. Most people in society couldn’t handle working the hours we do, the constant stress load as we multitask daily, and the fact that for many of us, going home doesn’t involve actually leaving the farm. That alone can make it really hard to relax, but I know my kids are far better off being raised in this life.

Second, though, I want to encourage everyone to remember, especially as we transition into the winter months, to make sure and take some time that isn’t farming related for you and your family! We all know that in ag, referring to work-life balance is kind of like asking a farmer what a weekend is. Nevertheless, mental health is a real thing and one often ignored in our industry for many reasons. It’s amazing how getting away from the farm for even a few hours can be reinvigorating. This summer, I participated in Hood to Coast for the first time, and while it wasn’t the most ideal time to be gone for a few days, it was EXACTLY what I needed to mentally regroup for fall.

Obviously some days the farm just HAS TO BE the priority, but remember, as busy as we can be, to take time to do those family things. Take a hike, play on a co-ed softball team, have a barbecue with friends. Those are the things that make memories and really keep us going.

Kathy Hadley

Oregon Aglink President