Chris Hardie

I’ve discovered as I’ve grown older that my ability to muscle through projects continues to diminish. What I could have done at 30 or 40 takes a heck of a lot longer when pushing 60. The will may be there, but the way is just too dang hard.

I’ve been called many things over the years, and now I can add a title to my name that would have made those callers’ heads explode — Lord. Yes, I have been officially proclaimed Lord Christian Hardie because I am a Scottish landowner.

There are more than 300 apple varieties grown at Wisconsin orchards. Visiting orchards is a great fall family event.

In a profession full of uncertainties, one thing we can rely on is farmers finding a way to over-produce any commodity, including hops.

Suddenly the calendar turned to September and I asked myself, “Where did the summer go?”

Recently, while moving a stack of pallets, I disturbed the proverbial hornets’ nest. Fortunately, I was not stung during this encounter.

Photos from the aftermath of a recent massive storm that flattened cornfields across Iowa and into Illinois and Indiana took me back 22 years.

No summer is complete without foraging for wild blackberries, but this year’s blackberry plants have taken a hit from the recent dry spell.

Growing up on a farm allowed for adventure, including the time Chris Hardie and his brother blew up the biggest ant hill they’ve ever seen.

Recently, I encountered a slender fellow. I had just started to cut grass near the house with a string-trimmer when there was sudden movement. Sure enough, out slithered a slightly annoyed snake about 24 inches long.