Farm Credit Services offer free lunch to Logan County customers

[September 21, 2017] 

LINCOLN

On Wednesday local farmers, customers of Farm Credit Services, were invited to a free lunch break courtesy of the FCS. A cookout was held in the parking lot of the Farm Services Agency in Lincoln.

Instead of singling out one farm to visit this year, the company decided to hold the event in a central location, and send out written invitations to all their customers in Logan County. The annual Feed in the Fields project is aimed at emphasizing that during harvest season, it is good for farmers to take a break from the combines and tractors, and to remember to eat well while they are working.

Each year there are a number of farm accidents, many due to long hours spent in the fields, and a lack of proper rest. While equipment today is much more automated and safer, the new conveniences also make it easier for operators to stay behind the wheel for long hours. Even with the safer equipment, working too many hours can bring on fatigue, and fatigue can lead to accidents.

The FCS on Wednesday offered up freshly grilled pork burgers, chips, cookies and cold drinks. Farmers were invited to stop in and grab lunches to take back to the field, or to eat while enjoying a few moments visiting with FCS staff and fellow Logan County farmers.

Guests were also encouraged to take a free cap, can beverage cozies, and to sign up for a drawing for a free fire extinguisher.

Each year the FCS hosts a Feed in the Fields event as well as a second similar event at a local elevator. This year the group will be providing lunches on October 13th at the Elkhart Grain Elevator in Elkhart. All the haulers coming into the elevator will be invited to a free lunch and an opportunity to get out of their trucks to stretch and relax a bit.

Fall harvest time is a very important time of year for area farmers. This is the time when they see for sure what their crops have produced and consequently get a handle on how profitable the farm will be this year. It is also a time when Mother Nature is in complete control. The warm dry days in Logan County right now mean that the stress level is low for area farmers, but on their mind is what happens when the rains start.

When Mother Nature throws a wrench in the works, then the sense of urgency increases as farmers work to harvest their crops. This is a point that the general public needs to understand, especially when it comes to traveling local highways.

Motorist should be aware of what is going on ahead of them. Farm implements, trucks and tractors on the road will be a common experience in the next few weeks. Remember those vehicles are generally travelling at a much slower rate than a car. Motorists can quickly catch up with such equipment. Many of those vehicles are also wider than the road or lane they are driving in, and it takes time for those vehicles to get partially off the road so other vehicles may pass by. In addition, the visibility in a combine especially, is limited. If a car is following too closely the driver of the combine cannot see the car.

The bottom line, be careful and be patient when approaching or attempting to pass a farm implement.

[Nila Smith]