A Difference Maker

Let's visit about difference makers this morning. Those on the scene. But also those behind the scenes. Folks are craving men and women with principles today. The devil wants weak, comfortable, non-engaged Christians, especially men. Charlie was a Christian that engaged in a civil way. And was having a positive impact. As Anna said on the radio earlier this week, evil didn't kill Charlie because they hated him. They killed him because he stood for faith, freedom, and family. And that folks, means evil hates you and me as well.

13 years ago Charlie went to CPAC as an 18 year old full of dreams, wanting to make an impact on our culture. There he met Foster and Lynn. Foster believed in Charlie's dreams and gave him his start.

I was not blessed to meet Charlie. However we have a hand full of mutual friends. We also both tended to lose our voice regularly, and use mint tea and honey to combat that. Thanks Jan.

Foster also believed in Tucker and helped him with his restart, making a positive difference in a negative world.

15 years ago four friends of mine believed in this gentleman and started a company. Today Steve is making a difference, not only on Blaze, but all over the country with books, movies, and media.

To my grandkids: What's your dream? You are going to be the difference makers. In your faith walk. In your current and future families. In your businesses. As are us older folks, your days are numbered. Start young and make them count. John, Ezra, and Malaki ran the three grain carts that kept the corn away from the combines yesterday that Uncle BJ and Uncle Karl were running. Eliott ran the batwing mower, cleaning up the field edges and waterways.

Iowa is a conservative state. Yet our public schools had dozens of teachers that celebrated Charlie's death. And leaders that seem to have a lack of body parts to do something about it without being pressured. We need school board members to step up and get a handle on what children are being taught.

Because of being slow health wise this summer our kids have been difference makers in my life. After a bin spout came loose and dumped around 150 bushel of corn on the ground, BJ came by without being asked and got things fixed up.

With dozer work being slow right now, Mike hooked up the chisel and started getting ready for our next crop. A farmer needs to be an eternal optimist, always looking forward, in faith.

This past week we celebrated the lives of a couple of older members of our community that passed away. Glen and Gerri were not only difference makers in their individual families, but in our community as well. I remember Gerri teaching countless kids piano lessons as a farm wife. I remember Glen and Lee parking their family's corn planter on Sundays in spite of the seed company asking for crucial timing and all their neighbors running.

To our kids and grandkids: While on our vacation in South Dakota, we all chose a word that reflected our personality and one we wanted to be remembered for. You all chose awesome words. Stacy took our words and had Amelia make Grandma and I a plaque. I challenge you all to use your word to be a difference maker in others' lives. Once in awhile on the scene, but mostly behind the scenes.

10 years ago Foster stayed at our home while visiting Iowa. His father was a rancher and he grew up on a farm. Foster was a difference maker in countless folk's lives behind the scenes, and has been an example I've tried to follow. Foster died in 2021, and Jan and I were blessed to be invited to his graveside service in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. His family took his casket to the cemetery in the back of his old pickup.

A Lasting Impact

Harvest has started earlier this fall in southern Iowa. Test weight is not an issue. Moisture has nose dived due to dead plants as a result of southern rust. Yields are ok to good in the non fungicide sprayed fields, and great in fields sprayed with fungicides.

Southern rust started blowing in from southern United States in late July. We don't see this disease often here. With a wetter summer and warm dewy nights, it decided to stay, grow, and spread. A fungicide application was effective for postponing the plant death it caused. Stalk quality will be an issue later in the harvest season.

This post reminded me of last week's story. 1974 was my first crop after Walter passed away. I sold corn for $3.30/bu. that fall to Warder and Lee Elevator in Webster, Iowa. Since I was a senior in high school, and had few living expenses, I took my year's profit and bought a new 1974 Chevy Scotsdale 3/4 ton pickup from La Franz Chevrolet. The sticker price was $5200.

As far as a health update I have opted to pass on chemotherapy, and go with blood tests every 3 months. My lymph nodes were clean. However chemo was suggested because of the "just in case" scenario due to the advanced stage of my colon cancer.

After tests and multiple visits with brain surgeons, Jan has scheduled an MRI early next year to check if the tumor in her brain is growing. If it isn't growing she has an option to continue life with her mild symptoms. If it is growing, surgery will be scheduled. 

Since a fair amount of our family's crop has been forward contracted we have an obligation to deliver it to the processor during harvest. Since so many are delivering corn around here this has been a tough job. So we have had some early mornings with trucks in line. We have around 25% of our corn crop delivered. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

One of the jobs that often gets pushed to the back burner is following the combines with the bat wing mower and cleaning up the field edges and waterways after harvest. So I've asked grandkids to help with this job after school. This picture was taken by a neighbor looking east toward what we call the "Eddyville Flats" just north of Eddyville. Thanks for the picture Kym.

Kudos to grandson John for helping his much younger cousin Lane drive grain cart.  Thanks for the picture John.

Yesterday the gals had a bridal shower for John's fiancé, Ella. John and Ella get married November 7. The good looking "older" gal in the middle is my wife Jan. The middle aged gals are our daughter and daughter-in-laws which we love dearly. And finally, Ella, who we can't wait to have join our family. Thanks for the picture.

So what is the summer of 2025 teaching me? We've shared with you all earlier that God's power is made perfect in my weakness. Also as I reflect, what impact is being left on these next generations? It's not about handling corn diseases, or crop size, or markets, or even health. I've made my share of mistakes on these issues this summer. My goal is to live out my faith, and be an example of blessing others. My prayer is that this has a lasting impact that outlives me, through family, vocation, and community.

Walter

In the middle of a summer full of unexpected events come blessings we couldn't have predicted. I'd like to share a story this morning that shows God has a plan and purpose for all of us. And the jobs He has for us in the summer of 2025, like having the desire and ability to be a small part of a concert on the square in southern Iowa last night, God actually puts people and events in place in our lives years earlier for His good. Thanks for the picture Merribeth.

We received a random FB message from a gal in Georgia earlier in August asking if I knew a Boender who was a hired hand for her Grandfather 55 years ago. After confirming that was me, Deb made arrangements to fly to her cousin Meg in Wisconsin, and then drive down to Iowa together, to remember her family's history.

After meeting at our shop we drove north of Osky to see where their parents had grown up, and to see where their grandfather Walter was farming when he passed away. They had attended his funeral when they were 13 and 10 yrs old. We found Walter's D17 AC tractor thanks to my cousin Stan. We found Walter, his wife, his parents, and his sister in Forest cemetery thanks to Mark.

As briefly as possible I'd like to share Walter's story and how God used him, his son Bill (Deb's father), and my father to prepare for the rest of our purposes. Thanks for the picture of 3 families of cousins on the first day of school Stacy.

I didn't want to go to school. When I asked my Dad if I could stay home, he said no. I needed to face my own battles. I was the new kid in 9th grade at North Mahaska. "Randy the Butcher", a senior was picking on me, and Mr. Atkins had paired us together in a PE wrestling match. As I was sitting near the mat fearful, Emory, another senior, (now BJs landlord) said not to sell myself short. I fought like I'd been throwing bales of hay all summer of 1970. I pinned him. Life got good. The boys slapped me on the shoulders. The girls smiled and said hi to me in the school halls. Coach Atkins asked me to play football. And for the first time in my life I loved school.

The turn of events caught my Dad by surprise when I excitedly came home and said I had been asked to join the football team. My Dad told me if I had time to practice ball after school, I had time to get a job.

This is where Walter comes in. Dad took me to meet an elderly farmer that raised sheep and drove AC tractors, neither of which I knew much about. Walter and I became friends and I helped him on afternoons and evenings my 9th, 10th, and 11th grades of high school.

One evening in early November of 1973 I went to chore and noticed things weren't right. Walter went to town every evening for supper. And on this evening his yellow Olds was home. I found Walter. He had passed away of a heart attack earlier that day. I called my Dad. I called information for his son, Bill's phone number. And I made that difficult call to Athens, Georgia, to tell Bill (Deb's Dad) that his father had passed away.

Bill flew to Iowa the next morning. He asked me to be a pallbearer with 5 other old guys. Bill asked me to make ready and line up machinery for a farm sale later. And Bill asked me to rent this 200 acre farm 50/50 during my senior year of high school. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

I finished my senior year at PCHS in May of 1974. I asked Jan to marry me in December. We started our lives together in March of 1975. And the rest, up till this summer, is history (His-story) as they say.

I was reminded this summer of God's faithfulness 55 years ago. I thank God for Emory on that wrestling mat with encouragement, for Walter, for his son and his granddaughters, for sure Jan who joined my life with nothing more than love, an FHA loan, and a promise to try my hardest. But most of all I thank God for my father, who said no to football, who took me to Walter, who allowed his firstborn to start farming at 17 years old, losing his right hand on the farm. It's late and time to quit. Maybe updates on health and harvest next week. Blessings.

Non-negotiables

Our lives are full of negotiables. Things that are open for discussion or modification. Things where there might be multiple paths to a solution. Things you talk over until you reach an agreement. I took this picture of Jan having discussions with five sons after bringing breakfast to the shop.

For instance, a negotiable might be would one use a 50 yr old combine or a 15 yr old one to harvest crops?

Does one forward contract crops out of the field, or store them? Farmers are in a slow realization that they may not "bushel out" (big crop) this fall to make up for depressed prices.

Does one pay higher fertilizer prices this fall? Or gamble and wait till spring?

Back in July, did you spray fungicide, or decide to quit spending inputs on low commodity prices?

Southern Rust blew in on our southern winds in late July. The middle pictures of stalks are the difference between spraying fungicide and not. Karl weighed ears from each set of three stalks. After compensating for moisture difference the approximant advantage to spraying fungicide looked to be about 30bpa. 

After my cancer diagnosis, someone asked me what my goals were for the rest of my life, whether short or long. A great question. One you all should ask yourself by the way. Everyone of us will have different answers. I came up with 10 goals that I enjoy, that I value, that define me. These are my non-negotiables.

 

1. Will care about others.

2. Will share what I have.

3. Will give generously.

4. Will acknowledge God's help in my life.

5. Will give 110% effort.

6. Will be committed to my wife, my kids and grandkids, and our help.

7. Will embrace change.

8. Will continue to write stories about God's faithfulness.

9. Will finish strong to the best of my abilities.

10. Will value relationships over property.

I've seen folks live by one set of rules with their faith walk on Sundays. And then have a different set of rules with their businesses the rest of the week. As I watched the kids, grandkids, and help harvest late last week I decided our non-negotiables need to have an impact on our everyday negotiables.

Be sure and drop in again next week. I've got a great story about the visit of the summer.

Passing The Torch With Grace

This past Thursday in Colfax at Becknology Days, Scott talked about the importance of a succession plan, especially in our farm businesses. Succession is the action or process of passing one's business or assets from one generation to the next. And since it's a known fact that we all leave earth with nothing, it seems one should plan sooner rather than later.

Jan and I were in our mid 30s when Shannon convinced us to start selling Dekalb seed for the Roberts family based in Dekalb, Illinois. At our first customer appreciation supper, Kurt and Karl were a year old.

Kurt and Karl are now in their mid 30s, with families, as they visit with Shannon at Becknology Days in Colfax. Much like our family's story, after working for Dekalb, Monsanto, and Bayer (consolidation), Shannon is now working for the Becks family.

Karl and Kristin have taken over the leadership role in our seed business. Does that mean Jan and I have lost interest? Of course not. And we help wherever needed.  We believe the next generation deserves opportunities during their family raising years, and not have to wait until the previous generation has left earth.

One of the many benefits of passing the torch earlier is getting to watch and appreciate the next generation in action, serve others, and loving it. Kudos to Jan, Cassia, Kristin, Stacy, Suzanne, Emily, and Linda for serving the meal. Also Kudos to all the others who helped with trash, wash dishes, encourage and watch the little ones running around, and cleaning up afterwards.

Even the 3rd generation helped. One of their responsibilities was to help dry and serve drinks from the ice tubs.

Yesterday Jan and I attended JoAnn's funeral. Howard passed away in 2007. 

In the spring of 1975 a newly married 18 year old walked into Mahaska FS, looked at the floor, and timidly asked the manager for some custom work to do. Howard told me, "Son, never put yourself down". Howard gave a young man a chance, and the rest is history.

In the summer of 1986 Mahaska Bank said I was no longer an asset because I had the wrong last name, and refused to give me an operating loan. Weeks later I received a call from a new-fangled car phone from Madison, Wisconsin. Howard told me about a new start up bank opening in Albia, Iowa. He said in his bold voice, "Steve, I've made an appointment for you at that new bank. Don't be late, and don't be under dressed." Peoples State Bank welcomed Jan and I with no co-signer. And we stayed with them 35 years until they sold out to a bigger bank. Howard gave us an opportunity. Later in Howard's life I was able to be his spiritual mentor.

What a blessing to be friends with this couple and their 7 children. Thank you Lord!

Jan and I stopped at Sully Locker and Market on Thursday. Grandson Gideon showed me he and his crew's day's work. They slaughter around 3 beef and 2 hogs/day. Kudos to everyone who helped give a 20 year old couple, expecting their second child, an opportunity to purchase and operate their own business.

I have always expected and appreciated our hired help to help us make a plan, sometimes for the day, sometimes for the season. If they become better at things than I or the boys, we all win. Guys, you are appreciated more than I take the time to tell you.

One afternoon this past week I decided to mow around a corn field with Kurt's skidloader and front mower. I got stuck. As I was walking the half mile home BJ saw me and gave me a lift. Kurt and Jim helped pull me out. I told Kurt I was sorry I got his loader stuck and thanked him for pulling me out. He said, "No problem Dad. I'm sure you've pulled me out way more times when I was growing up". The roles switch whether we choose it or not.

So you might think starting a succession plan would include identifying assets, identifying recipients, and the help of an attorney. Those things are necessary but minor details. Givers and receivers both need to start with contentment, gratitude, and a servant-heart. When we shovel out, God shovels back, and God has a bigger shovel! Let's get together again next week and talk about our non-negotiables.