Heat advisories are popping up all over the U.S. and the last week or two, my hometown of St. Louis has hit some temperatures and humidity levels that are staggering. Being outside for hours everyday is the norm for lots of people (some farmers, roofers, lawn care folks, etc.), but it is far from my normal day-to-day. On the other… Read More
Top 15 Things You Can Do to Survive Extreme Cold — Tips from a Panel of Experts
I still remember the advice I was given as I moved to Oklahoma for college. I was told to be sure I had a good coat. It wasn’t what you would think was brilliant advice, but as someone who had lived in a place where you make short moves from your warm car to a warm building, coats were something… Read More
The Impacts of Climate Change on Me This Week
We all hear about climate change now and then. And I know this isn’t what they are talking about but it’s slapping me in the face today. I am in Memphis for the weekend and as I drove in last night and saw the temps were in the 60s, I smiled so big. I love the moderate temperatures! Then I… Read More
Why Do So Many Farmers Like Country Music? Why Don’t More Farmers Like Rap?
In the last 10-20 years, country music has become something more people in cities listen to, but it has always been popular with farmers. There has to be a good reason. Recently, I was in Nashville with a lot of farmers and the reason became crystal clear as Luke Bryan (YouTube, Twitter and Facebook) took the stage. When he sang the first words to… Read More
Memphis Weather Has Us Bracing for Historic Flooding of the Mississippi River
Thursday I was returning to Memphis after a long visit in St. Louis. The drive home was one I had been looking forward to. It had been a tough time in my part of the world. Some of the big notes were I drove through a night of storms on my way up, a tornado ripped through St. Louis while I was… Read More
Spring Floods Hit as Snow Melts, Rivers Near Crest Stage
Spring 2011 is officially here. For some friends, that was realized when they saw the first robin in their yard. For me, it seems to be when I am drawn to a drive with the top down in my car. For a lot of farmers though it could be when they first hear planting reports coming in or when the… Read More