Living in the Midwest, I watch the weather a lot. Checking the forecast is a daily occurrence, at least. Some days, it’s hourly or every 15 minutes as a storm approaches.

The most common summertime lunch has to be ham and cheese sandwiches. While writing an article for this issue about covering silage piles and snacking on one such sandwich, I had a revelation about how opening a bagged loaf of sliced bread is much like opening a silage pile or ag bag.

If you dabble in cattle or horses, you may have heard of the iconic “Four Sixes” brand.

Happy National Ice Cream Month! According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), President Ronald Reagan in 1984 designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.

In early May, I received a text from an unknown number stating they had my name down as a head coach for our girls’ city softball league at the younger level, but they really needed a coach for the older girls and was wondering if I’d be willing.

Our cover photo for this issue features Liam (pictured in the red mask) and Easton (blue mask) Brown. They’re the twin sons of two long-time Progressive Publishing employees, Kevin and Jackie Brown.

Few things warm my heart more than images such as the one on the cover of this magazine. Three generations of the de Graaf family from Pixley, California: Gary de Graaf, his son Daniel de Graaf and grandsons Klaas and David.

Although you’re getting this magazine in your mailbox in early to mid-March, most of the writing, editing, design and production had to be done in early to mid-February.