MONTMARTRE, Sask. — Supper in the field is a weekly highlight for this farm family during harvest.
Lloyd and Colleen Fink, who have been farming for 36 years, make it a point to stop weekly with their daughter Nicole Siwy and her family: husband Bryce Siwy and kids Alexis, 8, Jaxon, 6 and Ava, 3.
The two families often invite company to join them for an in-field meal featuring lawnchair seating and an end-gate buffet. Guests have included the local church priest, family members who live in the city and Bryce’s grandmother, who is treated to supper in the field annually.
“Everyone loves supper in the field,” said Colleen Fink. “Sometimes you’re battling mosquitoes, brutal heat or wind, but it’s always fun.”
Nicole and Bryce Siwy head to the combine with their three children in tow: Ava, 3, left, Alexis, 8 and Jaxon, 6. The couple farms with Nicole’s parents, Lloyd and Colleen Fink, who are retired dairy farmers. | Christalee Froese photo
The menu can include anything from roast beef to chili to garden-grown vegetables. This meal is from the local restaurant, Sisters’ Bistro, which packaged pulled pork and corn on the cob for the busy family.
Colleen said that as much as they like to stop for suppers in the field, it doesn’t always go as planned. Recently, Bryce’s mom, Lucy Siwy, and Colleen hurried to get supper to the field, only to be sidelined by the tight harvesting schedule.
Jaxon Siwy shells canola pods for dessert. | Christalee Froese photo
“We scrambled to get hamburgers and gravy, corn on the cob and carrot slaw dished up to take to the field while watching the kids. We were literally sweating by the time we were all organized and on the road,” said Colleen, laughing about the scene. “We then got a call that they wouldn’t have time to stop to eat as they wanted to finish and move fields before dark. We turned around and went home.”
These are the pitfalls, but the two families agree that supper in the field is worth the effort it takes to make it happen.
Riding in the combine at harvest is one of Ava Siwy’s favourite fall activities. | Christalee Froese photo
Ava Siwy makes herself at home on the farm truck end gate. | Christalee Froese photo
Nicole Siwy and her husband, Bryce, had always wanted to farm, but they took city jobs for many years before finally being able to make their farming dream a reality. They now cherish time in the field with the whole family. | Christalee Froese photo
Bryce Siwy helps his oldest daughter, Alexis, shell canola on their farm near Montmartre, Sask. The family had been to the field for supper and Alexis wanted a home-grown snack. | Christalee Froese photo
