Sometime around 2050, I hope I can look back on April 7, 2020, as the one and only Palm Sunday I could not attend mass.

Never thought I would miss the interminably long Passion reading, the vivid symbolism of the crimson red vestments, bringing home a newly blessed palm frond destined for prominent display through Easter Sunday.

Every generation has a shortlist of events that have enduring consequences and occasionally, alter the trajectory of history.

To not acknowledge we are living one of those episodes would seem insensitive and uninformed.

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been turned upside down by the Pandemic. The daily disruption, financial and human costs will be catastrophic for many.

And once again, the uniquely fortuitous position I occupy at this iconic juncture makes me grateful that Great Grandfather Chrysandt settled in North Iowa and had sufficient farming skill that four generations later, my family continues this essential profession.

Pandemic or no, the importance of caring for the land, getting the highest return on the inputs we manage, and providing sustenance to the global population is a duty that needs to be done well for the foreseeable future.

Pinicon Farm is earnestly preparing for what will be, in several ways, our most challenging season.

At this time, we expect fieldwork to begin seven to ten days sooner than last year. This suggests good yields next fall. 

Four of our seven South African team members arrived before the international travel ban was imposed. Thanks to a recent abundance of applicants, Bert was able to fill all remaining positions with quality, local hires.

The tillage, planting, and application equipment inspections are completed with machines in position.

The shop is mostly empty in anticipation of an expected surge in critically ill trucks, rock pickers, and mulcher attachments. 

Meetings planned for this week include "Tillage School", "March Financial Review" and "Tender Operations".

No sweeps replaced unless, under 5" width, east-west fields worked at 93 degrees heading in Even Years, and vehicle repairs are at 85% YTD vs. 2019.

Excellence is in the details.

The Spring Plan is complete, tentative Team roles are set, and the last boxes of seed arrived Saturday.

Educating delivery drivers to leave packages at the shop entrance and not enter the building has been mildly frustrating.

I take it as a compliment that they seek interaction with our staff.

Construction on the new grain facility will begin next week.

Only six months till harvest. We will need "Oakdale Grain" to efficiently handle the expected corn crop. 

The next four weeks will have a predominant influence on the 2020 growing season outcome.

And God willing, by May Day our country is on the down-slope of the pandemic and we see a path to a resumption of life as we knew it.

Either way, we will be doing our job, uninterrupted.

Jim