Gearing up for harvest

BROOKVILLE, Ind. — It’s almost time for Mindy Orschell’s favorite view — sunsets from the combine next to a fresh-cut soybean field.

Orschell shared an update with AgriNews as she and her family gear up for fall harvest.

Q: What’s one thing that made you smile on the farm this week?

A: Probably my biggest smile of the week came during Sunday evening dinner when our entire family was able to be together. This has always been our time to reflect, regroup, relax and plan.

But this week was extra special because my daughter, who has been out of state working the past couple years, has taken a different job and has moved back to the farm.

My mama heart was definitely full as we all laughed about the past and planned for the upcoming harvest that will once again include all our kids.

Q: Do you have a favorite spot on the farm to take a break and enjoy the view?

A: My favorite spot hands down would be our huge hill at our home farm. This is also our favorite sledding hill and favorite camping spot.

Orschell Hill is the perfect place to take in a sunset or sunrise, gaze out over the river valley, hunt deer and graze cattle.

I never complain about checking cattle on the hill, but usually try to time my checks as to catch a sunset — little work and big reward.

Q: What’s been your favorite farm meal or treat this time of year?

A: Our family has been devouring honeycrisp apples from Doll’s Orchard, a local apple orchard in our area. There is nothing better than locally grown produce.

Let’s just say if the old adage is true, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” we will hopefully be good for quite a while.

I’m also giddy over soup season and love to make large quantities of a couple different soups each week. That way we have leftovers that are easy to grab and go. I love meals that are one dish, cook once and eat three times — and most soups fit that mold.

Q: If you had one extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?

A: I would love to say something profound here like taking fall walks in the woods while sipping my pumpkin spice lattes. But let’s be real, if I had an extra hour, I might get a couple more items checked off our pre-harvest list.

Or, I might have time to mow a couple extra roadsides or maybe even get caught up on some bookwork that got neglected all summer. Time is our most sought-after commodity these days, for sure.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in the next few weeks?

A: I’m most looking forward to opening up some fields. If you know me well, you know two of my favorite things — besides my husband and family, of course — are enjoying sunsets from the combine and a freshly cut soybean field, both of which should happen for me in the next couple of weeks.

Q: Any Indiana Farm Bureau updates?

A: INFB’s Women’s Leadership Committee just wrapped up our last anhydrous ammonia safety training for the year, which were well attended in different areas of Indiana throughout the year.

The planning has also started for grain bin safety trainings that we hope to hold in 2026.

INFB held nine shop talks throughout the state with our congressmen and congresswomen. It was a great way to share with our elected representatives the issues that we are facing on our farms and how they can help.