23 Jun Done with one, on to another

Guest blogger Emma Misener checks in this week as her crew moves north to Kansas, following the completion of the Oklahoma wheat harvest. Emma gives a wrap up report on Oklahoma wheat and talks about the preparations taken for the move north. Read on to hear about Emma’s next stop and what she’s looking forward to as the Kansas wheat harvest rolls on.

Oklahoma wheat harvest is finished!  The wheat around home averaged about 63 pounds, 11-percent moisture, and 42 bushels per acre. We have harvested enough wheat to make 14.5 million loaves of bread. That really puts it in perspective.  It makes me proud that I have helped harvest the grain that feeds the world.  The U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc. really knew what they were talking about when they made We Harvest the Crops that Feed the World their slogan.  Without farmers and without harvesters, the rest of the world would starve, so give thanks for our farmers.

Cleaning is all we seem to be doing around home right now. Whether it’s cleaning the machines to get ready for the haul north to Kansas or cleaning the house, we are all getting a workout. Once we leave Oklahoma, there is a good chance that we will not be returning until harvest season concludes–when wheat harvest is complete, the fall harvest starts. Even if I don’t think I’ll need them, autumn clothes are going to be packed.  It is so hard to pack for a cold season when you feel like you’re roasting in an oven every day. Temperatures around home, (Elk City Okla.), have been brutal–triple digits every day this week.  The only good thing is the humidity has been low, which makes the heat tolerable.

We are back to our normal amount of people again. My sister Katie and her family left Monday of last week to return home. It sure was a lot of fun, and we always enjoy their company.  The same day they left, another came. Justin Smith from Arkansas (one of the adopted family members–a former Misener Family Harvester), came to visit for a short while.  He works at a zoo, and upon coming here, he didn’t see much of a difference.  He helped us finish the harvesting here at Elk City, Okla., before returning home.  It was nice to see him again.

Our next stop is Kansas, and I can’t believe it’s already here. Even though harvest has been late coming all year, it still feels like we shouldn’t be moving to Kansas yet.  I don’t know why I am so shocked; I think every year I feel the same way. Moving to Kansas also means mud.  Dad talked to our customers the other day, and they say there is a lot of water up there.  It’s a good thing we have our four-wheel-drive combines. I am sure that will come in handy. The farmers said that it is the wettest they have seen for this time of the year. Eight to 13 inches of rain has fallen, depending on the area. Dad is thinking maybe Thursday, June 24, that we should begin harvesting.  I hope the rain lets us continue our work.

The next time you hear from me, we will probably be getting our canoes out and sharpening our scissors. I’ll actually enjoy driving in the mud.  It can definitely throw you some curves.

Be safe and God bless!

The Misener Crew’s last photo in Oklahoma. (Below L to R) Emma’s brother David, Emma’s mom Kristy, Emma’s dad Ron, Emma, Emma’s brother Dan. David’s wife Verena and son Alexander were not pictured. (Platform L to R) Andrew, the dogs (Heidi and Jesse), Olivia, Abby, Marty. (Roof L to R) Joel and Josh.

For more information e-mail crew@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2010 Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.