Planting Is Underway

Well even though some farmers got an early start, there are still quite a few acres to be planted, so you will continue to see farming equipment traveling the roads. Yes, it is easy to be impatient and think “oh, great, now I am going to get held up on the roads again.” However, it is important that you remember to keep your patience and give the farmers plenty of room to operate their equipment properly. Farming equipment is much larger and heavier than your average vehicle. It cannot stop on a dime nor can it turn as sharply as a smaller vehicle. Why does this matter to you? Well, if you encounter farm equipment out on the roads and you pass by them too closely or cut them off abruptly, you are creating a dangerous situation because that equipment cannot respond to sudden changes on the road like a passenger vehicle can.
 
Remember, if you do see farming equipment on the roads, it is most likely because the farmers do not have a choice. If farmers could access their fields without traveling on the roads, they would. Just like many of you have to get to your place of work every day, the farmers have to get to their place of work as well. At this time of year, the majority of their work is in the fields planting crops. So, the next time you can tell that your impatience is going to get the better of you as you are approaching farm equipment, remember where your food comes from and try to show a little understanding and reserve some patience for your local farmer.
 
Jennifer Bratthauar is the Penn State Cooperative Extension Agronomy Nutrient Management Educator serving Adams County. Penn State Extension in Adams County is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 204, Gettysburg PA  17325-3404. Phone 334-6271 or e-mail AdamsExt@psu.edu.
 
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