I’ll just say it. If a farmer doesn’t care enough about the land they are entrusted to care for to create waterways to carry water properly off their land, they shouldn’t be farming.

Waterways

Our fields are greening up. The corn is growing taller. Parallel rows of corn are a constant in our world. Another constant are the waterways that intersect our fields, following the contours of the earth, holding and drawing water to and from those fields.

Water is a life element to farming, an element that must be handled with care.

Waterways also help handle the snowmelt in the winter to decrease the loss of soil in the season’s water runoff. If waterways didn’t exist in our fields, there would be a chance that our soil would wash away. You can’t lose precious soil. You can’t, you can’t, you can’t!

Waterways also provide a nesting area for birds, pheasants and quail. Waterways also create a copse of grassland for other wildlife such as deer, rabbits and coyotes.

Waterway Maintenance

We mow the waterways in June and September to keep the grass down. Mowing waterways allows the rain water to draw into the waterway. If the grass is too tall, rainwater won’t run in the middle of the waterway. Too-tall grass won’t allow the proper flow of water.

My husband had these waterways built over 35 years ago. Before these waterways were built, the rainwater would create small rivers draining down through the fields. Something HAD to be done. He hired a bulldozer to come in and build a dish-like contour to follow the flow of water with the contour of the fields. The waterways were drilled with grass seed. This was a special grass seed mix, made up of Orchard Grass, Brome Grass and Timothy Grass.

These waterways haven’t been altered much in the past 35 years. If there appears to be any issue taking water properly, additional grass seed is sown or there might be a slight alteration of the physical structure of the waterway.

Be Blessed!

Mexican Roll Ups

In case you’re yawning about waterways, here’s a recipe for Mexican Roll Ups, straight from the ‘70’s!

I’m giving you two recipes. One has more calories, but is more delicious. You can decide.

The easiest one is first! This makes enough filling to cover 6 tortillas to make approximately 50 appetizers! The second recipe makes more. That’s enough to take to the your kid’s T-ball game tonight. Your family will think you love them or something!

Mexican Roll Ups

Tools You’ll Need:

• Hand or stand mixer
• Bowl
• Knife
• Airtight container

Ingredients:

• 8 inch tortillas to spread mixture on
• 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 8 oz bottle of Picante sauce
• ½ C shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients. Spread mixture on tortillas. Roll tightly and roll into aluminum foil. Refrigerate a few hours. Slice into ½ inch to 1 inch pieces and serve.

Extreme Mexican Roll Ups – 2nd Recipe

Tools You’ll Need:

• Hand or stand mixer
• Bowl
• Knife
• Airtight container

Ingredients:

• 8 inch tortillas to spread mixture on
• 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 4 oz container sour cream
• 1 small can chopped black olives
• 2 C shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ package dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
• ½ package dry taco seasoning

Using a mixer, mix all ingredients. Spread this mixture on the tortillas. Roll the tortillas up tightly and cut into 1-inch pieces. If not serving right away, put into an airtight container to store.