 At the start of haying our son left on an international trip with a group of other teens and it was the ideal opportunity to teach our daughter how to run the windrower and rake hay. The Ford tractor has proven to be a good fit for her to use with the rake (but not so much of a good fit for me riding along). Art rode with her first, to get her started, then I rode with her to show her how to make turns and not miss any hay on the turn around.
 
Art and I also showed her the finer points of windrowing. Making rounds in the windrower with my daughter has made the job more enjoyable and helpful for me in making sure rocks aren’t getting dragged along and passing the time. She’s enjoyed learning something new and having a new job to do has made her feel included. We get plenty of conversation time while in the cab taking turns at the wheel.
 
Our son is good help but I must say that my husband, daughter and I make a darn good haying team. Putting up hay as a family is what you call family time–ranch style.
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