The Journey of an Influencer
I started 2024 by launching my blog at farmertonis.ee. Since Instagram isn’t the best platform for publishing long texts, I decided to create a blog where I could share my thoughts in more depth. The results didn’t take long to show. Posts like “What are these farmers constantly complaining about?,” “Farmers and Mental Health,” “Is Rapeseed Still a Profitable Cash Crop?” and my experiences with drought insurance (Parts 1 and 2) helped me build credibility and opened doors to opportunities I had only dreamed of before. 😄
I also fulfilled a long-time dream of testing and writing about machinery I was given to try. I started with Case, followed by Valtra, Fendt, and finally a long-term test with John Deere. Considering the small size of the Estonian market, I was given a lot of freedom to praise and critique. Thanks to the representatives for trusting me!
A truly exciting and eye-opening experience was attending BASF’s first-ever influencer camp in Germany, at their invitation (see Instagram post). Over three days, I made new acquaintances, gained valuable contacts, and developed a deeper understanding of how a global company operates, the challenges farmers face, and the obstacles ahead.
As Estonia’s first farmer content creator (sorry, I couldn’t phrase this less narcissistically 😅), I’ve garnered significant media attention. I’ve shared my journey, opinions, and discussed issues affecting our sector in outlets like the Estonian National Broadcasting, Kanal 2, TV3, Vikerraadio, Maa Elu, Maaleht, Tartu Postimees, and Põllumehe Teataja. I’m happy to have helped keep agriculture visible in mainstream media.
Like any influencer, I’ve also established several partnerships. My goal is to be the “guinea pig” who documents experiences and helps other farmers gain either inspiration or a reality check – whether and why a particular technology or service might be useful.
Examples include:
- Paul-Tech: Helping me explore whether soil sensors can save money on fertilization and other decisions.
- Eurorisk: Investigating if insuring fields against various weather events is worthwhile.
- LandCredit: Giving me a platform to write articles diving into the past, present, and future of agriculture.
My Highlight of the Year
The eAgronom cover crop field day was one of the highlights of my agricultural year. It wasn’t tied to sowing or harvest season but offered a chance to see the behind-the-scenes efforts of organizing such an event. Planning took over nine months, and I think the result was excellent. 😊
I was especially eager to observe how different sowing methods influence the germination and growth of cover crops. It’s now clear that my broadcasting method doesn’t lag far behind sowing methods that involve placing seeds into the soil. Broadcasting is cheaper and faster but requires a higher seed rate. Meanwhile, direct seeding, disc harrowing, and combine methods offer better germination and plant density but are more time-consuming, fuel-intensive, and costly.
The timing of sowing also showed clear effects. Plants sown after August 20 (despite a favorable autumn) fell significantly behind in growth compared to those sown in early August.
Fun fact – on August 8, when cover crops were being sown in my field, I was busy harvesting peas. That day, I received 75 phone calls! 😅
The Christmas Tractor
In 2023, I had a test run; in 2024, I took a big leap forward!
As a grain farmer, my tractors usually sit idle for about four months in winter. Inspired by the trend of Christmas tractors in Estonia and abroad, I decorated one of mine this year with lights provided by Joulutuled.ee. The tractor, lent by Wihuri Agri, was dressed in a festive outfit and parked in front of the Jõgeva Terminal service station in my hometown. A huge thank-you to all supporters, including Sike Agri, which offered temporary shelter for the tractor and also sells some of my fan merchandise.
Why decorate a tractor? To showcase the machines farmers use today and to give tractor enthusiasts, big and small, a chance to see the equipment that helps bring food to the table. Plus, it was a fun project for my spouse and me that contributed to the Christmas spirit.
What’s Next in 2025?
If I knew exactly what 2025 would bring, I’d be a very wealthy person!
2024 has been a whirlwind – I’ve met many new people, gained tons of information and ideas, seen different sides of life, grown as a person, and realized that I’m probably on the right path.
Still, I have some clues. In 2025, you’ll likely see me in more and slightly different roles. I’ll be testing one or more machines, continuing the story of my “Perenaise Wheat,” and documenting my daily activities. I’ll strive to remain as authentic and honest as ever – whether it’s a combine stuck in a ditch, a Volvo in the bushes, or me feeling proud of an achievement. 😊
Something will surely go wrong, and something will go right. There will be plenty of work. What my year-end summary for Christmas 2025 will look like is a mystery even to me!
