Humans forget stuff. It’s a fact. Personally, I try really hard to keep track of all the many “to-do lists” of my life. My job, my husband’s job, our grocery list, our housekeeping needs, auto maintenance schedules, our health (vitamins / exercise, etc.), it’s a wonder I ever manage it all. If I didn’t keep lists and goals and records, I would never accomplish anything, I ‘m sure. And because of my seriously selective, short term memory, I quickly figured out the importance of keeping a monthly farm journal right after I acquired my little farm and began building it.
In simple form, a farm journal forecasts. It allows you to plan and manage weekly,
monthly, seasonally, or yearly, your time and workload, and highlights needs or
issues before they pop up like another weed in the garden. The journal can be as meticulous or laid back
as you like, so long as it keeps you on track and works for your personal
style.
I like to keep my journal simple. I set it up in an Excel spreadsheet with two
tables. One side I list everything that
has to be done for the month (and also things I’d like to be done), and on the
other side I list things to reference.
Here’s an example of mine in all its simplicity:
Each January, I can look back through all past monthly
pages and prepare for the New Year. Some
of the things I want to add to my journal this year are what crops worked, and
which ones failed miserably. The same with my livestock – what worked; what
didn’t. I should also list feed prices
so I can compare to next year and decide what animals are cost effective and
which need to go.
My journal tells me when it’s time to cut the fields,
worm livestock, trim hooves, plant garlic, or when it’s time to pick
blackberries. It also tells me when the tractors and other farm equipment need
servicing. In short, the journal serves
as a priceless, simple reference that saves me time, money and a few headaches along
the way. Do you keep a farm
journal? If so, please share your thoughts!
