03 Aug Laura: Working with your significant other

Western Kansas: Due to weather and trying to compensate for that with crew positioning, I have been running a machine more this summer than in a long time. It has been a fun change of pace. I really enjoy being in the field working with Ryan and the crew. I recently wrote this on my social media page at “Under the Flyover Sky” to offer encouragement to those who work with their significant other. It is in quotes below, and I thought maybe some of you could relate.

“I was called up to help so had to take a few refresher passes before I soloed. I’ve slept since I was in a cab last fall, but thankfully it came back fast–kind of like riding a bike. As a result, for a short time only, get your harvest 2021, limited edition commemorative photo titled “No one died and no one cried!”

Some days, owning a business with your significant other is fantastic and some days it’s “interesting.” Interpret that last word anyway you want. There have been good times and some really hard times on this adventure. I wish I could say there was a magic formula to small biz ownership, but since I haven’t found one yet, we just try to learn from mistakes, communicate, put one foot in front of the other and keep the faith. There are times we nail it, and others, well … ??‍♀️

If you’re experiencing a challenging time navigating your business with your significant other, don’t be discouraged by shiny social media accounts. You aren’t alone or the only ones. Keep on.

If you’re riding the high, don’t feel bad about celebrating. It’s OK. You earned it.

If you’re in the middle, take a deep breath and exhale. Enjoy the moment.

Every relationship has highs, lows, and a lot of in-betweens. Keep the faith. Take one day or even minute at a time. You can do this.

Yes, the day went well working together despite starting off just a little slow as we fought humidity and moisture, but we put in a big day until the rain hit. The cloud bank popped up on the horizon late in the afternoon, in the northwest, but we didn’t have a huge chance of rain. However, as the hours wore on, the cloud came closer and it became clear that we weren’t going to miss it. As is customary with harvesting, we cut up until the rain fell and then made a mad dash to the trucks. The moisture came hard, fast and cold and we were nearly soaked by the time we reached the pickups. Silt roads quickly turned slick and it was a bit of an adventure getting out of there but we all made it out safe and sound.

Beautiful cutting and long runs on these drylands fields in western Kansas.

Unloading on the go.

 Racing to the next field to hopefully get a good start before the storm.

It’s getting closer. Yes, it was coming out of the northwest.

It’s pretty dark now. We have to get as far as we can before it hits.

Trying to get back to the blacktop. It was a late night.

Laura Haffner can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by Case IH, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc., BASF, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Gleaner, ITC, Westbred, Huskie, Western Equipment, US Custom Harvesters, and High Plains Journal.