It’s cold out. You’re catching up on office work. You’ve shuffled through the big pile of farm magazines. And all the office paperwork is giving you a headache.

But wait. Wouldn’t it be nice to skim through the big stories of 2020 – the ones that tracked key moments in this historic year as well as offered insights on how to best manage your farm operation?

Not to brag, but we’ve got you covered.

No ordinary year

And let’s face it: 2020 was no ordinary year even from a farmer’s perspective. Your job already includes some ‘social distancing’ if you’re sitting in a combine or tractor cab. Now that phrase will always be associated with 2020, a global health crisis, and a world turned upside down. If 2020 was a movie it would be an epic on the scale of Gone with the Wind or Lord of the Rings – extended version. Tragedy, confinement, economic collapse, broken supply chains, a bitter election. But also government rescue payments, virtual get-togethers, rising China purchases, communities banding together - and grain prices the likes of which we have not seen since 2013.

In all we were not bored. Worried, yes. Stressed, at times. But never bored.

Looking back to last January our issues focused on things that now seem almost quaint: Things like new agtech bells and whistles, as well as solar, a tech that’s never quite gained traction. In March Farm Futures took a closer look at Phase 1 and other trade deals that could lift the farm economy from its ongoing funk. By May, with the pandemic breaking supply chains and filling hospitals, we took a closer look at crisis management as we watched the world go from bad to worse.

In summer, government ad hoc programs began taking shape, offering some lifelines for financially strapped farm operations. Then a mini drought and Derecho winds shrank expected yields and supplies, lifting prices. By harvest we had a full-fledged bull market and more government funding in the bank account.

To sum it up: What a long, strange trip it’s been.

We want to thank our Farm Futures team for their work this year. Design director Lisa Lynd, user engagement director Eric Braun, digital content creator Janet Kubat, senior editor Ben Potter, policy editor Jacqui Fatka, market analyst Jacqueline Holland, content production manager Diane Barry, executive content director Willie Vogt, content optimization specialist Jennifer Koukol, and all our Farm Progress colleagues, contributing editors and bloggers – you’ve all done terrific work getting stories in to our magazine, website and social media accounts and shared with readers worldwide.

This collection of links to Farm Futures cover stories offers a 2020 snapshot of the hot topics that touched farm lives professionally and personally.

So settle in and see what you missed. Happy Holidays, and a joyous New Year to all.