harvest of the barley

This is what my man does best. Cropping is in his blood. Reaping what he sows gives him enormous satisfaction. Much like what photography does for me.

The investment, both in time and money, bears it's fruits at this time of year. Growing a crop is a huge gamble. The input costs are every increasing and the grain prices, when it comes to marketing our crops, are not always kind, and are internationally influenced. The $A being over parity hurts us as farmers immensely. Great for imports, sucks for exports. And we are exporters.

Still, in saying all that, I would not trade this lifestyle for all the world. It's the best way to bring up kids, it's grass roots, and it's real. And it may be something, if one or the other of our children CHOOSE to, continue for their livelihood later on.