January on the Farm

What is the main focus in January?

For many farms and homesteads, January is about keeping animals and people safe and warm, repairing equipment and planning the year ahead. Weather decides much of what you can do.

Because climate differs widely, some regions may already be starting early crops while others are frozen solid. Ask your county extension office what is normal for your area. Even in mild climates, January brings cold snaps that catch people off guard, so keep protective supplies ready whether or not you expect a freeze. Keep a simple checklist by the door with the daily cold-weather jobs, so you do not forget something important on a bitter morning when you are in a hurry.

How do you care for animals in cold weather?

Animals need shelter from wind and wet, steady access to unfrozen water and enough feed. Cold raises feed needs for many animals. Check them at least daily and more often in storms.

Ask your veterinarian or extension office about winter care for your species. Do not use unsafe heat sources in barns, since fires are a serious risk. Check water lines, tank heaters and cords for damage each day, and keep them away from bedding and hay, since damaged cords are a common cause of barn fires. Plan for the possibility that a storm keeps you from reaching animals. Know where flashlights are kept, wear traction in icy conditions and decide in advance who would help if you were hurt.

• Unfrozen water at all times
• Dry, draft-free shelter
• Extra feed as advised for your animals
• Daily checks, especially in storms
• Safe heating practices only

What about winter safety for people?

Cold, ice and shoveling cause injuries. Wear layers, watch your footing and take breaks. Keep walkways clear and use traction on ice.

Know the signs of cold exposure and hypothermia from CDC or your county health department, and tell someone where you are when working outdoors. Check on elderly neighbors. Wear a hat, gloves, and insulated, waterproof boots, and keep a phone in an inside pocket where the cold does not drain the battery. Take it easy on days when the wind chill is dangerous. Limit time outside, work in pairs when you can, and come in to warm up often.

How do you prepare for outages and storms?

Storms may close roads or knock out power. Keep food, water, medicine, blankets, flashlights and a way to get weather alerts. Never run generators or grills indoors, since carbon monoxide can kill.

Check Ready.gov and your county emergency management office for guidance, and have a plan for heat, water and animals if the power goes out. If you use a wood stove or space heater, keep clear space around it and keep working alarms on each level of the house. Keep your vehicle fueled and stocked with a blanket, water, a shovel and a charger, since winter roads can leave drivers stranded for hours.

What indoor jobs fit January?

This is a good time to service equipment, sharpen and repair tools, clean and organize the shop, and review supplies. Order seed and supplies, plan the garden and update records.

Look over budgets, taxes and paperwork, and talk with a tax professional if needed. Walk through the shop with a notebook, writing down what needs fixing, then do the most important jobs first, before spring work makes them urgent. If you have a greenhouse or high tunnel, check it after heavy snow and wind, and make sure heaters are safe and vented.

What should you plan for the year?

Write down goals for the year. What worked last year, and what did not? What can you do differently? Decide what to plant, what animals to keep and what you can handle.

Check the calendar for workshops and classes from your extension office. Winter is a good time to learn. Keep a farm journal. Short notes on weather, animals and work become useful guides for next year, and are easy to write in the quiet season. Review what you did last winter and what you wish you had done earlier, and put the lesson on this year's list.

How do you rest and stay well?

The slow season is a time to recover. Get enough sleep, eat well and keep connected. Short winter days can lower mood, so get outside in daylight when you can.

If you feel persistently low or hopeless, talk with your doctor. Call or text 988 in the US if you are in crisis. Connect with neighbors, since winter visits and phone calls keep isolation at bay. Spend time on something you enjoy that has nothing to do with work, whether a book, a project or a long visit.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.