2005 Year in Review

Gift Ideas for the Farmer on Your list

Source: Dennis Epplin, Crop Systems Educator

As the holidays get closer, you might still need a gift for the crop producer on your list. There is a useful gift for every farmer in a wide range of prices. Dennis Epplin, crop systems educator with University of Illinois Extension, offers these ideas.

"I know that not everyone wants a computer with Internet access; however, it is hard to find a more valuable or extensive source of information," says Epplin. "Computers are also much more affordable than ever before. Go ahead and set the home page to University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinios Extension."

Maybe you were thinking of a book that could be kept in the pickup truck for handy reference. You can purchase an Illinois Agronomy Handbook (revised 2003), the Field Crop Scouting Manual (revised 2004), the Agricultural Pest Management Handbook (2005 edition), or one of the economical weed identification guides from your local U of I Extension office. Depending on your location, the county Natural Resource Conservation Service office may have a published soil survey book available, usually at no charge. County plat books (available from varying sources) can be helpful in determining farmland tract size, location and ownership.

Epplin says that every farmer gets involved in crop diagnostics and pest scouting. A soil probe is relatively economical and makes soil sampling quicker and easier. A good pocketknife is an indispensable tool for many farm tasks. And, a 10X loupe or hand lens is essential to magnify those small insects for identification. A 20X magnifier is needed to examine soybean rust.

Weather instruments also make useful gifts. The basics include a rain gauge, high-low thermometer, and a wind speed indicator.

If you have a few extra dollars in the gift budget, how about a digital camera to capture the images of those unknown pests? A GPS unit would be helpful to find our way back to the spot where we used the new digital camera.

"I also believe that we overlook safety far too often," says Epplin. "A cell phone can be a real lifesaver in a farm emergency. And protective gloves, goggles, and respirators make great stocking stuffers."

Many of the gift ideas mentioned can be found at local farm supply stores and discount stores. If you can't find an item locally, visit the Nasco website at Nasco, or call 1-800-558-9595. Another source is Gemplers, Gemplers, phone 1-800-382-8473.

This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products and trade names do not constitute endorsement by the University of Illinois and do not imply discrimination against other similar products that are not listed.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 13, 2005