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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: California – A Summer Night in Sunny California

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By Lainey Smith

For California farmers, summertime is harvest season, the most grueling period of the year. Late nights, early mornings and almost no sleep are combined with hand picking fruits, vegetables and running harvest equipment on grain crops like corn, rice and wheat. Some crops, like almonds, have to be shaken, swept, and then further processed by a huller and sheller before going to market. Farmers work around the clock to receive a one-time payout for a year’s worth of hard work.

For the rest of us, we get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, literally. Summertime is my favorite time of year in the California Central Valley. Rich green foliage and uniform rows decorate the roadsides. Homemade fruit stands mark every corner. A large plywood sign with the hand-painted letters “Freshly Picked” and “Open for the Season” invite travelers off the well beaten path.

Wednesday nights on Main Street will overwhelm your senses. A live band plays classic rock, savory smoke rises from a barbecue pit and ripe produce in wooden crates is on display at the farmers’ market. Local farms bring their best crops for the local crowd to try and buy. Neighborhood creameries bring artisan cheese samples while bakeries and restaurants bring signature dishes for dinner and dessert. While everything is fresh and delicious, I pass up the kettle corn and homemade ice cream stands and head straight for the chocolate covered strawberries.

To read more pick up a copy of the August 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming

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By Tressa Lawrence

Despite some blue skies, March can still bring sub-zero temperatures to Wyoming as calves hit the ground.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

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By Lindsey Monk

Welding on some corrals before dark. It’s been a mild winter in Montana so far, knock on wood.

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Farm & Ranch

Land Market Report: January Land Sales

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By Jared Groce

The rural land market in North Texas has had a fairly stale start to the year, with the number of transactions closed being minimal so far. There has been an increase in call volume from buyers, and some are turning into contracts, but I feel like we are still a little slower than we usually are at this time of the year. The “experts” are expecting fewer transactions in 2024 as compared to 2023, and they may be correct, because election years always seem to be slower. Once the election is over, and regardless of who wins, things seem to pick up once again. It is a strange phenomena that just seems to happen every four years.

With the amount of growth that we are currently experiencing here, I do not expect things to get any cheaper. More people means more houses, and they have to have land to build those houses on.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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