Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Agriculture Apps and a Lilac Bride

 by Shanna Hatfield



When I was working on ideas for my soon-to-be-released contemporary western romance, I knew I wanted the hero to do something that allowed him to be his own boss and work from home. 

Unlike many of my characters, though, he doesn't have a ranch of a farm, although his brothers do. 

As the youngest of four boys, Kaden Ford has always been fond of technology. And it was that fondness that eventually gave me the idea of having him run his own agriculture app and software company. 

Before I committed to that plan, I did a little research.

I had no idea, none at all, how many ag-based apps are now available. 


There are apps that make it simple for farmers and ranchers to order products based on inventory, monitor crop growth, plot watering rotations, scout crops with drones, hire laborers, analyze sales and price crops competitively, and a pest management platform. Apps allow detailed record keeping that includes birth dates (with photos), immunizations, breeding charts, and so much more. There's even an app from John Deere that allows users to evaluate expected versus actual performance of equipment. It also monitors completed field activities and can determine the productivity and quality of each field for a given operation. 

Back in the good ol' days when I as a kid growing up on my parents' farm, I remember my dad hand-writing details in ledgers and record books, probably much like they'd done a hundred years before that. 

When I think of technology I sometimes fail to apply it country life and the cowboys and farmers who benefit from it every bit as much as the rest of the world. 

If you'd like to find out more about Kaden and his ag app business, I hope you'll take a look at Lilac Bride, coming February 25!


When wedding plans go awry, wily matchmakers come to the rescue . . .

Katherine Kelly has been dreaming of her wedding since she was old enough to cut pictures out of magazines and glue them into her bridal binder. When Kaden, the handsome cowboy who holds her heart, proposes on a snowy Christmas Eve, she couldn’t envision anything more perfect or romantic. The spring date is set, all the nuptial details have been meticulously arranged, and she only has six weeks to go before the big day. Then, in a blink, her carefully formed plans begin to rapidly unravel. A freak snowstorm, rampaging rodents, and a lost wedding gown are only the beginning of the troubles they face.

Cowboy entrepreneur Kaden Ford still can’t quite believe Katherine Kelly agreed to marry him. She’s beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and the woman who fills his heart with joy. He doesn’t care if they get married in a cathedral or a cabin in the woods. All he wants is to spend his life loving Kat. But when faced with one overwhelming challenge after another, will love be enough to hold them together?

Find out in this sweet, charming, small-town romance full of laughter, love, and scheming octogenarian matchmakers.

Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and hopelessly romantic moments with unforgettable characters.

When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna loves to hear from readers. Follow her online at:

3 comments:

Julie Lence said...

Hi Shanna. A very interesting topic. I am computer/techie gadget stupid and never would've thought these apps exist for farmers and ranchers. Glad that they do and hoping the farmers/ranchers east of me use them. They have been hit hard with crappy weather conditions the past couple of years. I imagine those apps would help a lot with their livestock. Thank you for sharing and Congrats on your upcoming release!

Shanna Hatfield said...

Thank you so much, Julie! I had no clue so many apps existed for farmers and ranchers. It is such a cool thing!

pr777 said...

this sounds like another great story to read looking forward to it