What Was It Like?

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Partners,

Something that strikes me often is the amount of sweat, tears, and love that has been poured into this land we are caretakers of today. As we cross fields with equipment that can harvest 4000 bushels/hour I try to imagine what it was like for the first family members here to break out the sod. The prairie grass was probably over 10 feet tall and the soil wet and sticky, and there was no air conditioned house to retreat to for a good night’s sleep after all the toil of the day. Our family’s oral history tells us that the first settler who stayed the first summer on our land (mid-1800s) used an upside down wagon box for shelter as he prepared the farm for his family. He must have had his bravery tested with the coyotes howling at night, and the darkness (without any mercury yard lights), and the rainstorms that are bound to have occurred. What was it like digging post holes by hand for the livestock fence, planning how big of a barn to build (and make it easy to enlarge as the farm grew), and caring for the horses each day (unlike the tractors we use that sit dormant in the shed)? What were the thoughts and conversations that went on around the supper table and in bed at night, where the board of directors slept together?

We have a weather delay right now. 2 inches of snow yesterday and 3 inches this morning (Thursday). Beans are 85% complete and corn is about 70% done. The last corn is not going to dry down much more in the field—testing in the middle 20s. We ran hard Monday and Tuesday to get the wet bin filled up so we could dry during this weather delay. Seed bean harvest is complete so no more combine cleanings. :) Plenty of details to attend to with equipment and office work.

The trade dilemma is getting a bit tiring. Who blinks first is going to tell the story of how the resolution is going to be. Personally, I wish Congress would work on something that will move this country forward instead of chasing what the President said in a phone call. Anyone who has studied history or seen Hamilton or Lincoln knows that politics have been a part of our governance and I am thankful we live in a country where we can discuss them freely.

Our house remodeling project is finally in the last stage. We’re hoping to celebrate family Thanksgiving here. It’s hard to believe first quarter is already over and report cards issued. It seems this whole year will be one we will easily remember. Interesting how the challenging times are the ones we recollect and reach back to for wisdom.

Fall prices:

Corn 3.85

Soybeans 9.16

Comments welcome.

Steve