Planting season will soon begin, but that does not mean farmers have taken it easy during the winter offseason.
Work continues on a farm even after harvest. Farmers perform a variety of tasks such as planning the next growing season, attending meetings, keeping the soil tilled until the ground freezes and maintaining farm equipment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers is $69,300. However, farmer incomes vary from year to year because of weather conditions and price fluctuations.
Some farmers — such as Kevin Hunsinger of Mohamet, Ill., who doubles as a realtor — work second jobs during the offseason. Others solely focus on maintaining their farms.
The below series of pictures and descriptions highlight what some Midwestern farmers do in the offseason, and what they love most about farming.
Reporter Claire Everett made additional contributions to this story
