Its time to cut

 Come August, the wagons find themselves traveling to the field for the initial cutting. 

 Tobacco is a labor intensive crop, each plant has to be hand cut and carefully laid on the ground to begin the wilting procedure.  Each tobacco plant needs to wilt so that when picked up, it is loose and easy to handle.  Otherwise the leaves will break off.  Losing leaves means losing money.  The more leaves left to the plant the heavier it is for which the contract is written for pounds (weight).

 Oscar and Leonel cutting in the hot sun and heat of the day.  This is a very back breaking type of work, leaning over a million times a day. 

 You can see the tobacco in the front of the picture has wilted and the boys have begun to spike the plants (shown in the back).

The most practical way to experience cutting is to come visit, but if you can't make it to the farm.........I have uploaded some videos for you to see how it is done in the field.  Notice the guys doing all the work!!  It sometimes takes me 2 or 3 whacks at the stalk to knock it down.  Yes practice makes perfect, but at the rate of getting it cut and in practical time, our guys are much better and more efficient than I could ever be!

Our farm would not function without the help from our guys!  My job it to make sure the fields are flowing with this sound of what you hear in the video.  I am usually managing and working from my phone, which is a miracle in itself.  Being able to do all that you can do from a little device keeps me in the field.

Due to the heat and long days, my little helpers work at seeing our guys are hydrated and fed.  Below is a picture of the girls working in the fields and providing snacks for the guys.

There is never a dull moment when it comes to the girls.............notice no whining in this picture.