Jon Tester worked as a farmer long before he worked as a U.S. Senator, and this year, he’s set to ramp up work on the family farm.

That’s one sure thing the Democrat from Big Sandy knows about the immediate future. Last year, he said, he and his wife, Sharla Tester, raised white wheat, red wheat, peas and hay.

They raised lentils before, but those take more time, he said, and until recently, time has been in short supply.

During the last 18 years, Tester worked double duty, farming and legislating, getting up at 2:30 a.m., on Mondays for the transition, a drive to Great Falls, a flight to Washington, D.C. — a feat even Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines took note of in his farewell message to Tester.

Daines tapped newcomer and fellow Bozeman businessman Tim Sheehy as the candidate to oust Tester, and this month, the successful Republican rival took his oath of office.

Meanwhile, Tester talked about what’s ahead.

“Maybe I’ll play around with lentils again,” Tester said.