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As people move into your neighborhood, you may want to go meet them or simply send them a note. We would suggest including the following information to help them understand the differences in living in an agricultural area in a note or letter, and including your contact information as well.

Congratulations on choosing a home in what we consider one of the most beautiful places around. Like us, you'll get a first row seat to nature as the seasons change. You'll get tranquility, peace and fresh air. I'm sure you know that along with sunsets and wildflowers, living in an agricultural area means some smells and noises you may not be accustomed to. Here are some things that you might expect.

• I raise animals, and animals, of course, produce manure. In order to put the nutrients in the manure to use in an environmentally friendly way, we spread it on our crop ground. This process may produce odors; I'll do my best to not spread manure before a holiday or other times you're likely to be outdoors. I hope that you'll let me know of any important events at your home so I can try to avoid spreading manure just before your get-togethers.
• I also raise crops to feed my livestock. In the spring, I race against time to get crops planted in the limited time that nature allows, and in the fall I race to get them harvested. If I don't get my crops planted or harvested on time, I have to start work at the crack of dawn and sometimes work well into the night. That may mean some extra noise for you at those special times of the year.
• Because my fields do not all connect, I must use the roads to move farm machinery from field to field. I'll try to stay off the roads during rush hour, but please be careful as you approach any farm machinery. It may be wider or going slower than you think. Be careful if you try to pass farm machinery, too. You don't want to pass a tractor that's about to make a left hand turn, for example.

Again, welcome to the neighborhood. Please let us know if there's anything that we can do to help you.