Farming through the generations

From horses to tractors guided by GPS technology, farming has changed a lot over the years and in our family.  As I've told you before, The Farmer is the 4th generation of his family to farm in Hancock County and both of our families can trace farming back farther than that on our family trees.  Despite all these changes in agriculture over the years, one thing has remained the same.  Family farmers are committed to producing safe, affordable, and nutritious food for their families and yours. 

Technology has played a big role in the changes on the farm over the years just like it has in all of our everyday lives.  I often think about when I headed to Purdue University as a college freshman 20 years ago.  I had never sent an email before arriving at Purdue and we had a bag phone in the car for emergencies only.  My how things have changed! 

Just like we have embraced technology in our personal lives, as farmers, we have embraced technology that ultimately allows us to do more with less.  By utilizing GPS technology, we are able to precisely apply the exact amount of crop protection and fertilizers that may be needed by a specific crop in specific location.  This has dramatically reduced the amount of crop protectants and fertilizers needed to raise our crops and just one of the many ways that technology is making a positive impacts on our farms and ultimately at the grocery store for consumers.  It is also one of the many reasons that The Farmer and I's grandpas fed 61 Americans annually in 1960 and today my husband can feed 155.  

Technology has also allowed us to provide the best care possible to our pigs.  I've talked about this numerous times in the past, but just in case you don't think about my pigs as much as I do I thought I'd give you a little refresher. 

Today we raise our pigs in climate controlled barns that allow us to not only protect our pigs from the elements such as snow, sleet, rain, and hail, but also keep the barns at around 70 degrees year round and protect the pigs from predators, such as coyotes.  I can only wish that my grandfather was still alive to see how we raise our pigs today. 

As you can see, farming has made a lot of changes over the years, but I am thankful that we have been able to learn from past generations and embrace technology to make the best decisions possible for our pigs and our crops.  Ultimately this makes it possible for my family to produce safe, affordable, and nutritious food for our family and all of yours.  I am very proud to be a part of  a family farm that is carrying on the family tradition. 

This post was sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and The Glass Barn, 

but the the thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.  

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.)

I'm an aunt ... again

I've said it before, but I love being an Aunt.  I was blessed with 4 amazing aunts and feel very lucky to pass on the traditions and love they shared with me with my nieces and nephews.  Well last night, my youngest sister, Auntie K, blessed us all with a new niece to love and spoil for the rest of our lives.  I don't know yet when I will get to officially meet her, but thanks to technology I received a picture of her on my phone within an hour or two of her being born.  It's not quite the same thing as being there in person, but it is pretty amazing to have already caught a glimpse of her.  And thanks to Facebook, this morning I was able to see a picture of my new niece with my mom and two of my other nieces, Cousins L and A.

Also, thanks to Facebook, my other sister, Aunt L, received a few congrats on the new baby within minutes of posting the pictures of our new niece.  I had to laugh out loud when I soon saw her status update letting everyone know that the baby was her niece and not her daughter.

Oh how technology and social media have changed our lives...