Cold, brisk, and sunny out this morning in West Central Illinois. Farmers are gathering at their outbuildings, but had not gone out in the fields at 8:30 am, when I left for work in town. I worry about this year’s crops over here. Not much has been planted, and between the strong winds, the rain, and the cold, the farmers are a couple weeks behind the insurance date for planting.
Farmers are an amazing lot. They always put on a pleasant face and say things like, “we’ve had later starts.” I just hope they can get into the fields very soon - perhaps today?
I travel through western Illinois and east central Missouri twice a month and have seen literally no work having been done in the fields I pass along the way, nor have I had to dodge any farm equipment on the two lane highways. I live across the street from a huge swath of farmland that has seen no activity yet. It is nearly May. I am glad I am not a farmer, depending each year on the vagaries of weather for my survival. I am praying for several weeks of warmer drier weather. I need to get my yard in shape too, after all.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:51 am:
These cold springs are a drag. Would prefer to just have winter and be done with it. Really enjoyed the warmer weather for a sec.
I haven’t been outside yet, but the dog walkers are wearing puffy coats, hats and gloves, so I assume it’s still chilly. Mayor Lightfoot had the Green City farmer’s market open a month early this year. There wasn’t much in the way of produce, but I did get some potatoes that overwintered in a cellar and a bottle of chive blossom vinegar. The best part though was talking to the vendors I haven’t seen in 2 years.
Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program about an African American Springfield High School student in 1984 who had the highest GPA, but the school refused to acknowledge her as the valedictorian. Pretty powerful stuff.
===Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program===
That sounds very interesting. The Hoogland really does some excellent local material. I only lived in Springfield for 6 months, but I caught every show there that I could.
They always put on a pleasant face and say things like, “we’ve had later starts.” While saying in the next sentence how awful it is (we need rain, there’s too much rain, the rain isn’t wet enough…)
=Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program about an African American Springfield High School student in 1984 who had the highest GPA, but the school refused to acknowledge her as the valedictorian.=
I knew her - I went to school with her younger sister and they’re both pretty amazing women.
Rain or no rain, drought, natural disaster — they get paid either way. Just wish they’d focus on feeding us instead of China. Subsidies could go a long way for healthcare, homeless, and housing for the less fortunate. I am thankful, just wish it would be overseen better.
Farming has turned into big corporate enterprises which are subsidized as Mister Ed describes. I agree we could use those subsidies for the less fortunate in our country rather than more subsidies for the already rich.
- H-W - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:33 am:
Cold, brisk, and sunny out this morning in West Central Illinois. Farmers are gathering at their outbuildings, but had not gone out in the fields at 8:30 am, when I left for work in town. I worry about this year’s crops over here. Not much has been planted, and between the strong winds, the rain, and the cold, the farmers are a couple weeks behind the insurance date for planting.
Farmers are an amazing lot. They always put on a pleasant face and say things like, “we’ve had later starts.” I just hope they can get into the fields very soon - perhaps today?
- Captain Obvious - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:42 am:
I travel through western Illinois and east central Missouri twice a month and have seen literally no work having been done in the fields I pass along the way, nor have I had to dodge any farm equipment on the two lane highways. I live across the street from a huge swath of farmland that has seen no activity yet. It is nearly May. I am glad I am not a farmer, depending each year on the vagaries of weather for my survival. I am praying for several weeks of warmer drier weather. I need to get my yard in shape too, after all.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:51 am:
These cold springs are a drag. Would prefer to just have winter and be done with it. Really enjoyed the warmer weather for a sec.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:53 am:
I haven’t been outside yet, but the dog walkers are wearing puffy coats, hats and gloves, so I assume it’s still chilly. Mayor Lightfoot had the Green City farmer’s market open a month early this year. There wasn’t much in the way of produce, but I did get some potatoes that overwintered in a cellar and a bottle of chive blossom vinegar. The best part though was talking to the vendors I haven’t seen in 2 years.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 9:56 am:
You can tell it’s spring only by the non stop rehabs going on in my neighborhood. Loud.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 10:28 am:
Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program about an African American Springfield High School student in 1984 who had the highest GPA, but the school refused to acknowledge her as the valedictorian. Pretty powerful stuff.
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 11:09 am:
Onions and garlic doing well. Other plants still coming in at night. Building two more raised beds because knees said ‘you better’.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 11:21 am:
===Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program===
That sounds very interesting. The Hoogland really does some excellent local material. I only lived in Springfield for 6 months, but I caught every show there that I could.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 11:34 am:
They always put on a pleasant face and say things like, “we’ve had later starts.” While saying in the next sentence how awful it is (we need rain, there’s too much rain, the rain isn’t wet enough…)
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 12:15 pm:
==we need rain, there’s too much rain, the rain isn’t wet enough…==
Or “We need rain but don’t let it happen on weekends or holidays”
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 12:20 pm:
=Last week the Hoogland hosted an excellent program about an African American Springfield High School student in 1984 who had the highest GPA, but the school refused to acknowledge her as the valedictorian.=
I knew her - I went to school with her younger sister and they’re both pretty amazing women.
- Mister Ed - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 1:35 pm:
Rain or no rain, drought, natural disaster — they get paid either way. Just wish they’d focus on feeding us instead of China. Subsidies could go a long way for healthcare, homeless, and housing for the less fortunate. I am thankful, just wish it would be overseen better.
- Just a Citizen - Tuesday, Apr 26, 22 @ 4:39 pm:
Farming has turned into big corporate enterprises which are subsidized as Mister Ed describes. I agree we could use those subsidies for the less fortunate in our country rather than more subsidies for the already rich.