The biggest stress of Moving Day is probably getting everything done in time. You’re moving out, someone else is moving in. Same at the other property. So the biggest stress is the timeframe.
Here are some tips from Manawatu-based sharemilker Maegan Legg for making the transition as seamless as possible.
Get an early start
Start early, start packing those boxes months in advance. Share the tasks – decide who is going to pack up the home, who is going to do the shed.
Be prepared
Make sure we have a bag ready to go with everything we’ll need on the first night – phone chargers, kids’ pyjamas and a meal for that night and disposable utensils. Try to keep it as simple as possible.
Share your knowledge
Employers and sharemilkers can really help people moving in by leaving behind detailed farm maps and lists of preferred suppliers who know the farm well and already have accounts set up for the farm.
Organised chaos
Prioritise rooms in the house according to need. For example, getting your children’s rooms set up first means that they will feel more comfortable while you become acquainted with your new surroundings.
Hit the ground running
Get a feel for the lay of the land, take a walk on the farm and make use of any information that’s been left behind for you. For example, checking that what’s on farm maps corresponds to reality, or taking a fence tester around and checking where the power is – there always seems to be a spot on the farm where there is no power and that’s where the cow gets out.
This article is an adaption of an article which first appeared in the June 2021 issue of Dairy Farmer.
