Ag Weather Forum

Editor's Note:

As the year comes to a close, we've once again asked the DTN/Progressive Farmer reporting team to pick out the most significant, most fun, or otherwise their favorite, story of 2024. They range from solar events to seeing how seed corn is produced, political/policy coverage to wildfire impact, to including profiles of American farmers and ranchers who shared their marketing, production and even life choices with our writers. We hope you enjoy our writers' favorites, continuing the series with today's story by DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

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DTN is running its annual series at the end of the year again to focus on the stories that the writers have found to be their favorite of the year. Other writers here at DTN will likely focus on an interesting topic in their field, a particular piece of news that was ground-breaking, or an interview that was memorable.

I am completely different, instead focusing on a story I wrote about my vacation. It seems silly or even disrespectful to talk about your vacation to an audience of farmers who in April were preparing for or already in the midst of the spring planting season, but I couldn't help myself.

This wasn't just any vacation. It was the culmination of planning over several years to get into the right spot to view one of nature's truly awe-inspiring and rare occurrences, a total solar eclipse.

I didn't know how my family would deal with the 13-hour trip from our home outside of Minneapolis to Hot Springs, Arkansas, but I was determined to make it a good trip despite the potential for us getting clouded out. We lucked out in all regards and the event was as spectacular as I had thought. It even exceeded my lofty expectations. I sure hope you were able to witness totality like we did. It's a memory I'll always cherish.

It's my favorite story of the year because it was something different for me as well. Usually, I write about forecasts and the impacts of weather on agriculture. This time, I got to write for me. And I was thankful that DTN chose to publish my musings instead of rejecting it. If anything, those of you who read it could at least know how much of a nerd I am.

I'm still mad about not getting a good picture to use, though, even if I use it as the lock screen on my phone. The one attached here is the best out of my bunch, and pales in comparison to those that actually spent money on a good camera instead of relying on their phone. In the words of my grandpa Larry, the picture did not do it justice.

If you want to actually read the story, you can find that here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com

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