Planting Season is Here: Share the Road with Farmers

As spring rolls in, so does one of the busiest and most important times of year for Ohio’s farming communities—planting season. Tractors, planters, and other slow-moving equipment are hitting the roads across rural Ohio, including right here in our county. While this is a time of renewal and growth, it also calls for increased awareness and patience from drivers.

A Vital Season for Farmers
For farmers, planting season is a race against time, weather, and daylight. They’re working long hours to get crops in the ground and ensure a strong growing season ahead. That means more farm machinery on the roads—often early in the morning or late into the evening.

​These large vehicles can’t travel at high speeds and often take up more than one lane on narrow country roads. They’re not trying to slow you down—they’re just doing their job.

What Drivers Should Know
To keep everyone safe during planting season, here are a few important reminders:

• Slow down when approaching farm equipment. Most farm vehicles travel under 25 mph. Be ready to reduce your speed quickly.
• Look for the orange triangle. Slow-moving vehicles are marked with a reflective orange triangle on the back.
• Pass with caution. Only pass when it’s legal and safe—never in a no-passing zone or on hills and curves.
• Don’t assume the farmer sees you. Machinery is large and has blind spots. Give plenty of space before passing or merging.
• Watch for unexpected turns. Tractors may turn into fields or driveways with little warning.

Patience Plants Community Roots
This season, a little patience goes a long way. A few extra minutes on the road is a small price to pay to support the hardworking farmers who feed our communities and fuel our local economy.

Let’s all do our part to make this planting season safe and successful—for drivers, farmers, and the entire community.