I get it. I am a free-thinker and empower women to reach for the stars whenever they can. But here’s the thing: I am the one who stays behind and looks after the cows, children and house (not necessarily in that order) while he is off from dark to dark, harvesting the crops that will ensure our success over the next year. It makes me happy to know I am needed.
And, let’s be honest, it puts me in the driver’s seat for a bit – as in, he has to be nice to me because if not, he’s getting broccoli! Here are a few tips to help you out if you are considering feeding your farmer while they spend hours driving in circles:
1. Jell-O: Apparently trying to eat jiggly Jell-O on a moving tractor requires a certain amount of talent that is nearly impossible to use in the confines of a tractor cab. Best to try to keep your farmer hydrated with regular water in a bottle.
2. Salad: Salad during haying season could be considered a sadistic move – you know, because salad and hay can look similar. But eating salad while driving a tractor and trying to operate the controls of your machine is another tricky maneuver. Consider veggies and fruits that don’t require such precise hand-eye movements, like apples or carrot sticks.
3. Corn: While we (farm wives and moms) may rejoice at corn-on-the-cob season because we know our little ones love it, farmers busy on machines do not feel the same. It takes two hands to eat a cob, and most tractors don’t steer themselves (at least not on our farm). Also, any type of corn during corn harvest is considered just plain old mean. Refrain from sending corn.
4. Tractor-shaped cookies: Not sure why these popular kid treats didn’t go over well. I just got told I was sadistic.
5. Spaghetti: This meal can be a hit if your farmer is just driving, but if they need more concentration on other equipment, spaghetti isn’t for them. The noodles will not cooperate, and they will just end up hangry.
6. Pitas or wraps not wrapped in foil to hold them together: Just. Messy. Wrap those bad boys in foil so your hubby can hold, eat and drive all at once. He might be dirty, but he doesn’t want to wear his food. At least, I don’t think he does.
I know he’d be happy with just a peanut butter and honey sandwich, but I feel like two of those per day over the course of two weeks would become boring pretty quickly. Usually we send the same as we have for supper or leftovers. Though BBQ hot dogs are quick and easy to transport and eat. Granola bars and apples go over well, but sweets are usually sent back to avoid sugar crashes. Don’t forget the drinks.
Oh, and don’t forget utensils. If you don’t have a spare set of metal forks and spoons, I recommend picking up some at a garage sale or second hand shop. They will last longer in the rough conditions in the lunch kit and save money and garbage in the long run.
Farmers feed cities; we feed farmers. Simple as that. 
PHOTO: When your man is in the tractor all day, there are just some things that you shouldn't feed him. Staff photo.
Emily Morrison is a dairy producer in Leeds County, Ontario.
