A southern Ontario farmer plans to Tweet a photo every day during 2015.
Andrew Campbell, who already has 7,700 followers on the social media service, says he’s undertaking the project partly just for the fun of it --- but also to educate the general public on what farmers do each day.
Campbell’s family has a third-generation operation in Middlesex County, near London, Ont., where they produce corn, soy beans, wheat, hay and milk.
Part of what he hopes to show is that more work goes into farming than many people may realize.
Even in winter, when the fields are dusted with snow, they’re busy washing out barns, milking cows and giving them “haircuts.” Farmers also do maintenance on machinery.
His popular Twitter feed is already partly fun and partly educational. Here are highlights of past Tweets:
It may not be shiny but it is new to us! This monster breaks down big hay bales into easy to eat hay for the cows. pic.twitter.com/IeWbkrpUqf
— Andrew Campbell (@FreshAirFarmer) September 15, 2014
Tractors aren't the only machine to plant with. Neighbours spreading wheat as a challenging planting season looms. pic.twitter.com/iJPFsyeDA1
— Andrew Campbell (@FreshAirFarmer) September 16, 2014
Glitter and I are having a disagreement. I wouldn't mind some summer heat - she thinks it's perfect. #happycalves pic.twitter.com/9HUCHMq91h
— Andrew Campbell (@FreshAirFarmer) August 14, 2014
Two days in a row with a clear sunrise on the fall colours! Even better is more sun on the way. pic.twitter.com/bvjp55QBXS
— Andrew Campbell (@FreshAirFarmer) October 23, 2014
Judging by his previous dispatches, his first photo on New Year’s Day 2015 could go either way.
It might show him pounding on his alarm clock long before most of the country will wake up: he’s out of bed at 4:45 a.m. seven days a week.
There are other possibilities too.
“There could be a newborn calf, (if we) get lucky,” he says. “I’m going to have to wait to see what the morning brings.”