The Farmer and the tablet

 

"Oh, the Places You'll Go"

I don't even know if Dr. Seuss could have imagined the places we could go thanks to technology.  Just on our family farm alone over the last few months, technology allowed for some exciting new additions on our family farm.  

These lovely ladies came to our family farm by way of Arkansas and will someday be the mommas of Big Sissy's 4-H pigs.  

Anyway, what do these pigs have to do with technology?  

Well you see The Farmer used this super handy, easy to use, and  super fast like 4G LTE fast tablet that he was testing from Verizon Wireless to bid on these pigs in an online auction.  (Online auctions didn't even exist not that long ago, but every year there are more and more of them as they allow people like us to look at, bid, and purchase pigs from all over the country.  Something that would be quite difficult without technology.) Any way, thanks to being able to view pictures of the pigs online, he purchased these 4 pigs all from the comfort of his chair at home and then drove to Arkansas a few days later to pick them up.  

 The whole thing is quite amazing to me that basically with a "computer" that fits in the palm of his hand, The Farmer was able to make some exciting purchases.

Needless to say, The Farmer fell in love with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and was quite depressed when we had to send it back.  Had I not been done with my Christmas shopping for him when we sent it back, there may have been one waiting under our tree for him, but alas, there was not.  I guess it is a good thing for him that he has a February birthday.

Technology on the farm

 

Technology...

Technology plays a big role in all of our lives and I must admit almost daily I'm amazed how fast it is changing.  When I graduated from college in 1999, my employer gave me a pager and a bag phone and I thought I was cool.  My how times have changed.

Just like technology has improved things in our daily lives, technology has made a big difference on our family farm. We are able to use GPS technology to more accurately plant our crops and precisely apply crop protectants when needed which has drastically reduced our carbon footprint as farmers.  And this is just one of many examples of how technology on the farm is making a big difference.

One thing The Farmer and his dad could not live without is their smart phones.  Whether it be to check the markets, the weather, or read their email, they are constantly using their smart phones for something other than just a phone.

So needless to say when I got the opportunity to try out some of the latest and greatest gadgets from Verizon Wireless, I knew The Farmer would be more than excited as he is always trying to find ways to help him on the farm.

From the moment the Samsung GALAXY S III arrived, I could hardly keep it out of The Farmer's hands.  He loved the big screen as it made it easier to type and read.  (This Blackberry lover still can't give up her keyboard.)

He also loved the 4G service which allowed him to access the weather and other essentials for the farm in no time at all everywhere on the farm.

All in all, The Farmer was impressed and he is not easily impressed.  So when you can impress him and it helps him on the farm, you have a winner.  (The Farmer was sad the day I had to send it back, but can hardly wait to see what comes next.. I know, but I'm not telling.)