Site icon Farming w/ the Stauffers

Caution, Slow Down & Watch for Tractors

Krista Stauffer

We live on a fairly busy road which is not something any farmer would prefer.

On a daily basis we have cars drive by our farm. We have large trucks pulling in and out of the farm on a daily basis. The milk truck visits our farm every other day, the grain truck visits once a week, our big truck hauls shavings once a week, our grain truck hauls grain once or twice a week and our tractor has to use the road once a day to feed some of our animals. Everyone is extremely cautious when entering the road but that doesn’t mean that there couldn’t be an accident.

We have a small straight stretch in front of the farm with a sharp corner on one side and a corner/hill on the other side. The speed limit is 50 mph yet many people drive 60 mph plus past our farm. I have witnessed cars hitting ice in front of the farm and almost losing control. I can only imagine that hitting mud, dirt or gravel could do the same. I am sure that a car in our manure lagoon, colliding with a truck and tanker or a concrete building isn’t something anyone would prefer to do on their morning commute.

In addition, spring is here. It is almost time for farmers to get their tractors out in their fields. Tractors will soon be hitting the roads from their farm to field and moving implements back and forth. From early in the morning before most are out of bed to late at night I can guarantee farmers will be out working. Come time for 1st cutting the amount of traffic from farm to field will only increase.

So here I am as a farmer, wife of a dairyman and friend to many farmers in our community. I am asking you to please slow down. Slow down when driving past a working farm. Slow down when coming upon a tractor on the road. Slow down when you are in an area with livestock close to the roads. And when you get the urge to yell, scream and use obscene gestures towards the farmer on the tractor. Make sure to remember these folks are the 1-2% of Americans that produce the milk for your cereal, cotton for your clothes and products that are necessary for your day to day life. These men and women are grandparents, parents, brother, sisters and people just like you. Not a single one of their lives is worth you making it to your destination just a few minutes sooner. So please, just slow down.

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Krista Stauffer

Owner at Stauffer Dairy
Krista didn't grow up on a farm but fell in love with a dairy farmer and now works alongside her husband on their family dairy farm, raising five children. Despite her non-farm upbringing, she embraces farm life, enjoys gardening, and remodeling their farmhouse. She also runs a successful women's boutique, manages social media for local businesses, and serves on the board of a non-profit creamery, showcasing her dedication to entrepreneurship and community service.
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