There's always so much to catch up with upon our return from the north country. This evening's chores found me in the yard, and I felt just a hint of coolness in the air as I worked. Despite a promising 10-day forecast, it's hard to know if these pleasant conditions are here to stay or if a second summer will descend upon us later this month. It's Kansas, and anything is possible.



Fall harvest is days away and commences almost immediately upon returning from the wheat run. Much of Kansas remains in a substantial drought, and our fall run has felt

Great Falls, Montana — Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they're disguised in work clothes and carrying boxes of famous Hempl donuts, a Great Falls favorite. 







Alison Vergeront, executive vice president, shares a doughnut with Conner.



Alison and crew leader Ryan Breen discuss the harvest.



Throughout the years of telling our story of harvest, I've tried to shed light on some of the important people who keep us going behind the scenes. We've talked about harvest support, coops, grocers, cafe staff and many more. Recently, I was able to add another group to that list. Our team had the pleasure of hosting Alison Vergeront, executive vice

Montana — The crew has been in Montana for more than a month now. With the exception of fall harvest, this is our longest stop of the year.



It truly starts to feel like a home away from home.



My Instagram account, with its all-knowing nature, agrees. In the past, due to our lengthy stays, the app has reminded me that I need to register to vote in Montana. Don't worry. I'm only registered in my home state. There is no double dipping here, although I am now quite familiar with the state's political candidates due to the incessant barrage of political

Northern Montana — We have been back in the field this week with three crews running throughout northern Montana. Two teams are within a few miles of each other near Great Falls, and the third is up in Glacier County.



The other day I had to run up to Conrad, Montana, to the John Deere dealership for a part. While there, I popped my head in the John Deere Harvest Support trailer and had a nice conversation with Darren and the team. We are so thankful for the crews of manufacturer support that follow the harvesting crews and keep us running.

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.



Watching the machines run in northern Montana.



Cool temps, green crop and rain have made for a slow harvesting week.



In the meantime, the crew has serviced equipment and made repairs, so just as

Great Falls, Montana — We've been fortunate to have amazing cutting weather the majority of the season, with the exception of the first part of Texas. That streak continued through last week, and we were able to complete our winter wheat obligations. The weather continues to be hot and dry with very low humidity. Yields have ranged from good to great, and we've been able to work at a nice, steady pace. One 545-acre field went 102 bushels per acre. While this is a number worth celebrating, the party feels a little blah with grain prices so low. I wish

Cascade County, Montana — It is after 11 on Monday night. I'm sitting at my table, typing out my weekly post. I still have a few more things to tidy up after feeding 26 people tonight and am considering making my Rice Krispies Treats now to save me a task tomorrow. I'm also having a mental debate about if I want to stay up a little longer to see the northern lights. They're supposed to be good tonight. My energy is waning, it was partly cloudy, and the smoke from area wildfires persists, so there's no guarantee. However, the allure

Great Falls, Montana — There has been a pause in your regularly scheduled AAWH programing for ... green wheat.



Actually, the Montana crop is on time. The southern run, due to early maturity and hot, dry conditions, sped harvest up. Jobs bled one into the next, and it went fast. Many harvest crews wrapped things up well ahead of the normal schedule and were allowed a slower move north to their final jobs of the wheat season.



Our farmers want to give their winter wheat a try this coming Wednesday, July 24. It will either go, or at minimum give us a

Morgan County, Colorado — If everything goes according to plan, the first load of equipment leaves for Montana tomorrow, July 16. The extremely warm temperatures experienced across the United States have not excluded northern Montana. With temperatures at nearly 100 degrees, the wheat crop will be ripening quickly. Many harvest crews are en route, ready to position equipment for when the time is right.



Colorado experienced decent yields. In fact, to date, with a few outlying examples of patchy hail or drought, most of the wheat run's yields can be classified as "all right." In recent years it seems that there

Wallace County, Kansas — It was the most beautiful evening the night I began this article. I had moved my “office” outside and was typing as I watched mini-harvesters play with their friends in the neighboring lot.  It was our last night at this stop, and I knew goodbyes would be hard the next day. As luck would have it, for whatever reason, fellow harvest kids are a the exception, not the norm at our camp stops. We made the most of our time and this treat. Lifelong memories were made here while they swam, played hide-and-go-seek in the dark,