By Kim Baldwin, McPherson County farmer and rancher
By the time this column hits the presses, the first significant winter weather system of 2025 will have arrived. For our area, the weather experts are all forecasting periods of ice, strong winds, extreme cold and heavy snow.
The winter storm watch notifications have been constant on my phone. Road crews have already started treating the roads and people have been making their way to the grocery store to stock up.
It is no longer a calm before the storm.
The term “French Toast Warning” is being used to describe this incoming weather event, which is basically suggesting people get to the store and stock up on all of the essentials for French toast including eggs, milk and bread.
I’m an early prepper, so I got all of my ingredients before the masses did. Early prepping is something we have to do during this time of the year, because we aren’t just preparing our household for the weather; we are having to prepare the farm for the weather as well.
Machines need to be winterized, fuel tanks need to be filled, equipment needs stored.
Since there’s a chance of losing power with this storm, the generator is at the ready, propane tanks are topped off, flashlights and lanterns are charged and batteries are tested. The cabinet doors under the sinks have been opened and water jugs are filled.
With or without power, the animals still need cared for. Straw bales are moved and spread to provide warm bedding for the animals. Hay bales are strategically placed for future feedings. Ice breaking tools are brought out, and the heavy-duty winter choring clothes are hanging near the back door.
A pile of old towels are at the ready for use on floors to combat wet and muddy boots or to wrap up and dry off tiny newborn lambs since we are currently in the middle of lambing.
It’s my hope that our storm prepping is not needed, but after an incredibly brutal January in 2024 that kept the kids home more than they were at school, roads continually drifted shut, and farmers and ranchers working around the clock to care for their livestock, it’s wise to be ready.
Even if this anticipated first winter storm of 2025 ends up being all that is described, maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to use the ingredients from our pre-winter weather grocery run and get to enjoy some warm French toast in between feeding, watering and caring for our livestock during this first winter storm of 2025.
“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.
