With all the weather struggles of this past year, it may be hard to get excited about the calendar stating it is already December. I have seen many acres of unharvested crops yet, so for those of you that are still in the combine, I hope you can finish beforeChristmas. Many in the ag community are ready to move on to 2020 and are hoping the year is a better one. I am praying it will be.

After this long year, just remember that winter is usually a time when life slows down, kind of. Social gatherings are plentiful, be it with family or neighbors, and I hope this adds to the joy of December and the New Year. The cold tends to make us want to stay home, unless it is an absolute necessity to be out and about, but spending time with family at home can help recharge the batteries. Many of you have been on the run since February last year with livestock and then crops, so please take time this holiday season to take in a few family moments and special events.

For some of you, Christmas may not be the most joyful this year as the farm economy has taken a hit and it is putting stress on you. I would like to remind you to look around at the blessings you do have that money cannot buy-family, friends, faith. If you feel that money will not stretch to buy spectacular gifts, try to think of things to do with your family to make memories. Think of someone in the community that may be struggling emotionally or financially, maybe a shut-in, and think of something you can do as a family, or an individual, to make that person’s day just a little brighter. Remember, the first Christmas was a pretty simple affair so simple may not be so bad. I can truthfully say that I remember more about time spent together at Christmas than the gifts I received. Friends and family around our table and the special food everyone brought out at Christmas are still my favorite memories.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! If anyone would like more information on how the SD Center of Farm and Ranch Management can help your operation, contact the SDCFRM office or any of our instructors, call 1-605-995-3098 or email us at sdcfrm@mitchelltech.edu.