07/09/2020
It was brought to my attention recently that there exists a crisis in rural America. Apparently, a shocking few teens nowadays possess the skills/ability to properly stack hay bales, especially in western Oregon. I feel partially responsible for this. My insistence on doing all of my own stacking has no doubt played a part in this travesty, by denying our local youth the opportunity to learn, therefore I believe I should accept the responsibility of helping to right this wrong. So, after much soul searching and prayer, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to rectify this situation is to pass on my wisdom and expertise to the next generation.
To achieve this, I've decided to offer classes, completely free of charge, to all local kids who desire to learn this useful skill. For those who live too distant to travel to our location daily, we can provide room and board at a very reasonable rate. There will be no limit on class size, but dates will be determined by Mother Nature, typically beginning in June and last approximately 2 weeks, occasionally longer but rarely more than a month. Remember, this will be 100% free of cost to the students, they simply show up every day necessary when hay is ready and absorb the knowledge. Curriculum will include proper attire, hayfield etiquette, how to pick up bales without pulling strings off, appropriate language, stacking on the trailer, strapping down a load, required prayers on the trip home, staying hydrated, unloading trailer (without breaking bales), hay shed stacking technique and post-stacking refreshments....curriculum subject to change without notice.
Sadly, it's too late to hold a class for 2020, as I've just finished stacking 1150 bales in our barn and hay shed, and have no more storage room, but signups for the inaugural 2021 class will begin soon.
