19 Aug Laura: Is today the day?

Northern Montana — The last week has been marked with much cooler temperatures, showers and green crops that have kept us from being consistently in the field. Our northernmost crew, currently working on winter wheat, is the only group that’s been able to cut. Even that was drawn out longer than expected with the conditions. The southern crew will soon be starting barley and other small grains.

In the meantime, the crew has serviced equipment and made repairs, so just as soon as the weather allows, we should be full steam ahead.

Will that be today? I just hopped off a farm mental health taskforce Zoom meeting so am now able to shift my attention back to harvest. I was hopeful, but upon checking, I have seen limited chatter on the team’s group chat. Today’s high is supposed to be 89 degrees, with a light breeze from the southwest. Perhaps this afternoon things will let loose.

With several consecutive days off, crew also went to work checking a few more items off their bucket lists. One group went down to Yellowstone and the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center. On their way home, they met up with team members from Frederick Harvesting, who were also out touring, for a fun evening. Some of the members from the crew had attended “uni” (university) back in the UK together, so it was a reunion abroad! Crew also went to the rodeo down in Cascade, Montana, which was a first for a few team members. They said it was an impressive show. Others spent more time touring Glacier National Park and the surrounding area. We even had a fun team evening at the local laser tag course.

The littlest harvesters have also been learning and traveling, too. Upon getting back into the car Saturday morning, Lady A said, “That was awwwwesome!” We had just attended the annual “Mammoth Hunt” at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. While there, we were able to try our hand at traditional hunting methods like the atlatl (a javelin-like weapon), bow and arrow and throwing hatchets. It gave us a greater appreciation for how hard it must have been to provide food for or protect families back then.

Another favorite booth was the flint knapping station of George and Cheryle Bryce. Native American history has always been interesting to me, so seeing this skill firsthand was fascinating. George uses a variety of modern and traditional tools in his craft. We watched him carefully turn the rock over and over, looking for the right angles in which to strike the rock to create the arrowhead. It is both a science and an art. He has even used his homemade tools in hunting and has successfully harvested a deer using this traditional method. George’s business card reads “amateur flint knapper,” but I would argue he’s a professional.

Our immediate family has also had some much-needed time together, which can be sparse in the heat of harvest. We made an insanely quick trip to “Route of the Hiawatha”, a rail-to-trail site, to do some mountain biking. The old Milwaukee railroad grade boasts beautiful scenery, tall trestles and tunnels. One of the tunnels, which was a highlight for our family, was 1.6 miles long! We’ve also enjoyed kayaking in the Missouri River and dinner with our farm families.

We’ve enjoyed making memories out of the field, but we’re ready to be rolling again soon!

I am currently unable to access my AAWH email. If you have tried to reach me, I regret I haven’t responded. Feel free to reach us on Facebook or Instagram at High Plains Harvesting or Under the Flyover Sky. Thanks for your patience! 

Thank you to our 2024 All Aboard Wheat Harvest sponsors: High Plains Journal, Lumivia by Corteva Agriscience, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc., Merit Auctions, Kramer Seed Farms, Shelbourne Reynolds, and U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. Laura can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.