The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

That Time Dad Cracked His Head Open (Literally!) During Plant 18

May 31, 2018

I was feeling a little bit cocky because life was going so well. I’m gearing up for a new job. I’m buying a new house. I had a glowing report from the doctor. Of course, I had to do the dumbest thing possible and tweet about the good fortune.

My life is going too well right now. I’m starting to get paranoid that something really big and bad is about to happen.

— Farmers Daughter (@farmdaughterusa) May 17, 2018

Sure enough, I got a phone call a few minutes later (literally, a few minutes) from my brother Michael saying, “Dad got hurt. He’s on the way home. We don’t know what happened, but be ready.” When Jeremy, my other brother, and dad pulled into the driveway, dad had a towel pressed to the top of his head and blood running down his face. He jumped in the car with mom and they rushed to the Emergency Room.

Turns out he was helping Jeremy load the corn planter with seed. We use a one ton truck (see below) for the job; it is stocked with seed bags and the fertilizer tank. The back of the truck has two swinging doors, which attach to bars at the top and bottom of the walls. Dad stepped on the planter and grabbed the top bar to pull himself up onto the back of the truck. Likely because he was distracted and not paying attention (he doesn’t usually step on the planter to get up there), he smashed the top of his head into the bar, which has a sharp ridge on the bottom side. The impact caused him to lose his grip and he tumbled backwards, falling onto the planter. He landed on his back and arm.

Jeremy saw what happened and ran to the pickup truck parked on the other side of the field. He drove it over to the one ton and grabbed something for dad’s head. The only thing available was a dirty old towel that they use to clean their hands after handling seed or chemicals. Dad put it on his head and applied pressure to the area. Crazy enough, Dad apparently wasn’t sure he really needed to go home, but Jeremy told him to get in the truck because he was going to the Emergency Room.

Of course, all of us were worried that he may have hurt his neck again, after he broke it two years ago.

A visit at the Emergency Room revealed that he only (only!) had a deep gash on the top of his head – all the way across the top, down to his skull, and about a half inch wide. Doctors ran all the tests, but nothing else was amiss; no broken bones, no blood clots, and no swelling on the brain. He likely had a concussion. The gash required internal stitches to cover the lining over his skull (technical term?), and 13 staples on the outside to keep all of it together. The doctor also did extensive irrigating and prescribed antibiotics because the towel dad used in the field had questionable origins.

Thankfully, aside from the pain associated with the stitches and staples, dad was mostly pain-free and able to get back to work. While dad was in the ER, Jeremy removed the bar from the truck so it wouldn’t be in the way. A few days later, however, dad fell off the back of the truck again, this time because he went to grab the bar and it wasn’t there. He landed on his feet though, so no harm. He obviously just needs to be more careful!

Dad had the staples taken out about 10 days later. It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as when the doctor put them in. It took all of 5 minutes.

Obviously, we’re all thankful that dad is fine and recovering and nothing more serious happened in the accident. We’re so happy he wasn’t out in a field somewhere by himself, because who knows what would have happened then. The entire ordeal was a stark reminder that we all need to slow down and pay attention. It’s planting season and we have a lot to get done, but it won’t all be accomplished if we don’t survive until the end.

signature
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Family Farms, Farm Living Tagged With: farm families, farm family, farm safety, farm stories

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter


Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 154

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 163

Error: You currently have access to a subset of Twitter API v2 endpoints and limited v1.1 endpoints (e.g. media post, oauth) only. If you need access to this endpoint, you may need a different access level. You can learn more here: https://developer.twitter.com/en/portal/product (error code: 453).
For more information, visit Error Codes & Responses.

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

5 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

In my latest for AGDAILY I take a look at that status of plant-based "milks" and the FDA's moves on labeling.

... See MoreSee Less

'Almond Beverage': Yes, a label is finally doing it right! | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

The FDA's draft guidance on the milk label is a decent compromise on which the nutritional differences with actual milk must be clearly stated.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

This man is a menace to society. It scares me to see certain groups giving him a favorable look."Conspiracy stories are simple, whereas reality is complicated."

... See MoreSee Less

Why RFK Jr.’s Science Disinfo Keeps Outrunning the Truth

plus.thebulwark.com

A conspiracy theory can be halfway around the world before a peer-reviewed replication can alphabetize its sources.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

It’s harvest season in Michigan. Remember that even if you have to slow down to 20 mph and follow a tractor for one mile, it takes only three minutes of your time – about the same amount as waiting for one stoplight.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

I'm just starting to look into the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act as a response to California's latest antics. This article is a good start.

... See MoreSee Less

Don’t let California override the EPA and hijack national farm policy

thehill.com

Some states — California, in particular — are trying to circumvent EPA’s career scientists with pesticide labeling regulations that conflict with the EPA’s scientific conclusions.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Go to mobile version