‘My favorite time of year’

BROOKVILLE, Ind. — Farming is all about being resilient, and Mindy Orschell and her family have had to be just that as weather challenges impacted planting this spring.

She shared an update with AgriNews.

Q: Have you had to pivot again due to storms or dry spells?

A: Absolutely, our normal order of fields was anything but normal this year. We did more field hopping based on ground conditions this year and less on field location.

We usually try to plant our fields in order of location since we are spread out over two counties, but this year that plan had to change.

We found ourselves doing a little backtracking to a couple farms because we couldn’t wait on the weather as time was ticking away.

Q: How are your cattle doing as grass growth ramps up?

A: This is my favorite time of year to be a cattle owner. We turn our cattle out on fresh pastures full of lush cover and they are so happy and content.

While the cattle are living their best life, we are able to focus more on the fields, knowing that they are happy and taken care of.

Q: Any grazing rotations or pasture improvements?

A: We recently added more concrete pads to overwinter a herd. That has proven to be very efficient for pasture preservation and erosion control. Upgraded fencing is a constant improvement on our hillside grazing pastures.

Q: How do you balance fieldwork with family summer activities?

A: Some summer activities get put on hold or rescheduled until after the crop is laid by. Those that we can’t press pause on, we try to divide and conquer.

It’s not uncommon for me to attend graduation parties or weddings by myself, at least until after dark.

Mother’s Day is never celebrated in the traditional way with our family. This year I spent Mother’s Day in the tractor helping plant corn and moving equipment. But it is a trade off I’m happy to make.

Q: What does a typical day look like this July — routine or still varied?

A: July on our farm is still very unpredictable. We are usually trying to get all our hay cut and bailed once the crops are laid by.

We are also cleaning and putting away all our spring equipment. Grain hauling and bin clean out is also a big part of our time spent in July and August.

Q: What’s Farm Bureau work looking like now? Any summer events or policy issues?

A: I do keep very active with Farm Bureau in the summer with our district which includes nine counties. I try to attend as many county fairs in our district as I can since most county Farm Bureaus play a big part in their county fairs.

We are also gearing up for our Taste From Indiana Farms at the Indiana State Fair. This four-day event showcases eight different commodities that are raised here in Indiana.

Fairgoers are provided information and given samples of food grown right here in our state. It is so much fun sharing agriculture to those that aren’t familiar with it.

It’s always exciting to me to learn what all is grown around us. Each year I learn that there is definitely more than just corn grown in Indiana.

Q: What keeps you motivated to keep farming?

A: For me, it’s all about legacy and the next generation. There is nothing that fills my heart more than watching my granddaughter get excited about how much the corn has grown or the “flowers” on the bean plants.

I love it when she gets so excited running from plant to plant looking for new growth and comes out of the garden with her arms full of cucumbers that she has watched grow and cared for. Another big draw to farming for us is the constant challenge to improve and grow.

Whether it be implementing new technology or exploring more diversification of our cattle herd, it’s all about caring for the land and livestock we are entrusted with in the best way possible.

Q: What’s next on the farm?

A: Our focus is now on hay and equipment cleanup. We are also starting to work on projects and looking ahead to our harvest preparations.