Our Rural Roots

Jennifer Campbell, Contributor

As we collectively flip the calendar to September, I feel like I can take a deep breath again. What is it about those "dog days of summer" that just hit a little harder the older I get?

I feel as though I always leave summer in a blur and discombobulated -- hungover from the heat, crop work and livestock. But, when the physical date of Sept. 1 rolls around, I feel a shift in the atmosphere and a shift in my world here on the farm.

It's the month that feels more like a fresh start and a new year than January. I can feel the intense heat fade and the air become crisp, renewing my energy and allowing me to focus with a clearer sense of purpose.

The growing crop work is done, and the fields that just yesterday seemed bursting with life now offer a moment of rest as we wait for them to dry down for harvest. We have put heart and soul (and bank account) into this crop, and it's almost time to reap the rewards.

Don't get me wrong, harvest is busy, hectic and has long hours. Things can still go wrong, but being this close to the finish line has a sense of comfort and accomplishment.

September sometimes feels like an underrated month, a quiet, calmer atmosphere. For me, it's time for mornings on the porch and evenings on the patio without the humidity holding me hostage. The grass is still green, the leaves on the trees rustle in the breeze, and while there is still work, there is always work. It just doesn't feel as intense.

This pause before the start of harvest is a time to reflect on the growth and hard work of the past months. We can see the commitment to get to this point, to reflect on the decisions made and what needs tweaked for next year, but mostly to enjoy what we have accomplished and to be thankful.

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-- Jennifer (Jent) Campbell waits for September from a seven-generation Indiana family farm. She also writes a blog called Farm Wife Feeds at https://farmwifefeeds.com/…

-- Follow her on X @plowwife and on the @girlstalkag podcast.

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