Spring is often thought of as a time with tulips in bloom, buds on the trees and green grass again. While these may be some of the highlights of spring, I feel that as a season, it is so much more than that. As a dairy producer, there are several ways I like to turn this new season into a reset on the farm. It is a way to recharge myself after a long winter and freshen certain parts of the barn and day-to-day tasks as well. With this plan, coming out of the dreary, dark winter months not only means brighter, warmer days, it can also be a season of growth and a fresh start.
In the spring, we tend to mulch our flowerbeds, plant our annual flowers and start mowing our lawns again. On the farm, we plow and disc the fields to prepare for planting season – and ultimately end up planting our crops that will be harvested in the fall. Not only are things looking fresh and enhanced, but literally speaking, it is a fresh start and a time to expand and grow not only in our landscaping, and crops, but in our lives as well.
As one who spends a good chunk of my day in the barn specifically, I like to utilize this time to do a deep cleaning of the parlor and entry area. Coming off a long cold winter, the twice-daily parlor spray down and clean up doesn’t quite cut it. As the temperatures become warmer, it is refreshing to scrub down all the regularly used equipment, as well as walls and floors, and let the warmer spring air dry everything out. Something as simple as this can really change your outlook on chores and can be a clean, new outlook on your day.
I also like to do a deep clean on hutch packs. As the cold weather dissipates, it is nice to shuffle calves around that have been deep bedded and cooped up over the long, cold months. This is also a good time to get rid of any germs that may have been harboring over the winter months. Cleaning and replacing bedding and deep packs is also a good way to stay on top of disease control and provide the best environment for our animals.
On the crop side of the farm, as we plant a seed, we take on the assumption that we are entrusting that there will be warmth, water and sunny days ahead for the seed to be nourished to grow and develop. What if we looked at our lives the same way? What if we decided to trust and believe in ourselves that if we decide to try something new or expand our horizons of what we are comfortable with, that we too will have what it takes to flourish in that area.
Often, I think that we get bogged down with the stressors of everyday life, and everything that we need to do by a certain time, and we genuinely forget to look at the beauty surrounding us. Maybe even we forget to just take a moment for ourselves and do something that we want to do to grow our own happiness. No matter how busy we are with the endless to-do lists, errands and busy schedules, I think that this time of year is a great time to take the chance to reset ourselves.
For me, afternoons while enjoying one of my favorite iced lattes is often the perfect time to reflect on what time spent in my day has been productive and is positive movement toward my overall goals, and what time spent maybe was less productive and didn’t really benefit me much.
Looking at our goals and restarting this next season with the energy and outlook that we have what it takes to grow and develop professionally and personally, and that much like the crops, we will flourish – is the mindset that will make us succeed and seek happiness throughout the year.
