A Christmas Gift Guide for the Farmer in Your Life

As the holiday season draws closer, you may already be thinking about what to buy for your friends, family, and loved ones. Of course, when adding things into your shopping cart, it’s only logical to throw something in there for yourself as well. But better yet, why not get something that treats yourself as well as your farm. In an occupation that constantly challenges farmers with fickle weather, limited resources, and long hours it is more important than ever to work smarter, not harder. Here are 5 must-have agri-tech items that both you and your farm will be happy to have under your Christmas tree this year.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
  1. Rechargeable Headlamp

As sunlight becomes more and more rare in winter months and you find yourself running a farm at 6 a.m. in the dark, allow me to introduce you to your new best friend. A rechargeable headlamp is a simple and affordable way to make your life easier whether you’re getting a head start to the day or fixing a last minute problem at night. Rechargeable headlamps allow you to operate hands free while illuminating everything in your path. Best of all: no batteries are required. Simply plug your headlamp into an outlet along with your cell phone before you hit the hay. 

Photo from Steelmantools.com
  1. Drone

Nowadays, drones are not just used by military members and instagram influencers; they have quickly become an invaluable gadget in farming. Agricultural drones provide an aerial view of your crops, allowing for closer monitoring of your farm in a faster and less exhaustive way. Although drones are on the pricier side, investing in one, especially if you have a large farm, will save you time, energy, and resources for years to come.

Photo from Droneusainc.com
  1. Soil Sensor

If you’re looking for an item that will make a big impact on a tight budget, a soil sensor is the product for you. Soil probes gather data below the soil and provide information on your crops that are hard to measure and see. Generally, soil sensors measure moisture levels, salinity, ambient temperature, and light levels. With a soil sensor, you can save time, money, and resources by understanding your plant’s needs and having valuable data sent straight to your smartphone or desktop. Although some soil sensors are on the pricey side, our sensors use a low-frequency measuring technique that allows us to produce sensors at a considerably lower cost.

  1. Self-driving Tractor

This is arguably the most expensive item on the list and the gift least likely to fit under a Christmas tree. Despite the high price tag and perhaps your reluctance to go for anything that can drive itself, self-driving tractors seem to be the future of farming. Unlike self-driving cars, self-driving tractors are incredible low risk and can help farmers expand their farming capabilities. With a self-driving tractor, you can let a machine do all or part of your work while you track its progress via GPS. 

Photo from the-iot.co.uk
  1. Tile Key Tracker

Although this item is not exclusively for farmers, a key tile tracker is an excellent and affordable gift for the forgetful farmer in your life. Tile bluetooth trackers attach to any set of keys and allow you to locate the missing item in seconds through sound technology. Finding a set of keys on an expansive farm can be a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. With a tile tracker, locating your lost keys on the job will no longer be a calamitous ordeal.

Photo from Digitaltrends.com

2020 has been a great year for tech in agriculture. The items above reflect the innovations of the past year at various price points. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your favorite farmer, hopefully these gadgets help make life a little easier and the holidays a little merrier.

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