Spring Break

The concept of "spring break" is often associated with warmer destinations during late March. However it's also a time for making preparations back home. Preparations for spring and things growing. It's a week when kids are home from school, hopefully growing as well with experiences and responsibilities.

Mike, Kasey, and Alex worked on cleaning, rebuilding, and fixing terraces on a rented farm, with a dozer and backhoe.

We have been getting seed in for months. Spring break is when it starts to get delivered to our customers. For years we delivered with pickups, then tied down on open trailers. Now even the smaller orders go out in Karl and Kristin's enclosed trailer and semi.

Staging deliveries can sometimes be a family event, especially during spring break.

With the fallout from the Middle East war, shortages, volatile markets, and weird weather across the country, there seems to be a feeling looming of harder times coming. With supply chains under pressure, making preparations is not fear, it's wisdom. It's not panic, it's obedience. Jesus's brother James wrote; "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him". 

We have become more and more a global economy these days. We click a couple of buttons on our screens and the next day the imported goods we need is at our doorstep. The inverse is also true. Folks across the ocean import much of their food. Feeding the world has been what farmers in this country do best. During spring break Elijah is soil testing a chunk of ground he will be farming for the first time. Elijah is a 11th grader.

On the farm, fall is harvest, when our crops are either marketed or stored. Winter is planning, preparing, and purchasing. Spring break becomes crunch time. Do we have enough fertilizer applied or purchased during a nitrogen shortage? What seed hybrid goes on which field? Are the weather patterns asking us to protect soil moisture? Weather permitting we are a week away from spraying pre-plant, and two weeks away from planting. Four brothers who help feed the world are sitting in our farm office making a plan.

                             

Elliot is using part of his spring break to help Grandma paint the upper east wall of our cabin. Cousins Lane and Jayden are watching and giving advice.

Once or twice a year I visit the State Capital just to stay in touch with what's happening in Iowa's civic arena. After a legislative Bible study, I had breakfast with Danny and Jon in the hall just outside the legislative cafeteria. A lot happens in these halls between committees, caucus, and session. Spring break is crunch time here because everyone is ready to go home.

I doubt if spring break was a deal when this barn and pickup were new and active. This old farmstead has seen a ton of change. Back then machines were replacing "horse-power". And folks thought life was speeding out of control. Today we have a digital world replacing paper. Our screens are distracting, however it's what we do as our world seems to continue to speed out of control. Three random things I'd like to share this morning that haven't changed; Caring still becomes ineffective when it gets confused with controlling. A soft heart still gives generously. And God is still in charge. Blessings.

Are You Listening

Jan and I enjoy each other's company. That means we appreciate listening to each other as much or more than talking. There is no better time to do both than on a road trip. Listening is such an action word.

Two Saturdays ago we went to an Angus bull sale of our friends, Brent and Teresa. They live and farm near Dexter. Brent built his own sale barn on the farm. We farm Brent's Uncle Ron's farm that his grandfather had bought and started farming in 1940.

After the sale we drove and stayed in to Colby, Kansas, a rural farming community of around 5500 folks in the northwestern part of the state. On Sunday morning we drove south along the Kansas/Colorado state line as we listened to three different church services. We saw more outside corn piles in that dryland country than in Iowa. 

After a stay in Gallup, NM, we got up early Monday morning for our last 750 mile drive to Yuma, AZ. We stopped mid morning for a cup of coffee in Sedona, AZ. Sedona is known for red rocks, new age shops, upscale spas, and art galleries. So we were surprised when we walked into the McDonalds lobby to see a homeless man waiting for a coffee refill. Straggly beard. Uncombed hair. Wearing two coats. In a who's who town like this, folks were avoiding him like the plague. After his coffee refill he goes back to his corner booth with his paperback book and walking cane. We go back to the pickup with our to go senior coffees. That's when I asked Jan if I could go back inside and listen to his story.

George grew up on a farm in a small Iowa community where his father was a school superintendent and his mother was a 4th grade teacher. He played high school football for his father. His parents sent him to the University of Iowa where he graduated. He mentioned an acquaintance named ..... I told him I knew a Terry ..... He said Terry was his acquaintance's brother. He worked in Colorado for a short time. When his parents died he went back to Iowa and tried to farm with 2 cylinder John Deeres. It didn't work. His sisters disowned him. He said he had no one so he came to AZ.  When asked, he said he slept in an old van. Again when asked, he said his social life were free meals on Mondays and Wednesdays from two different churches. Finally when asked about his relationship with the Lord, he said he had given up on religion because of a bad church experience. We talked about other options. He was 76 years old and been homeless for close to 50 years. Note: I asked ChatGPT to create me an image to protect my new acquaintance. AI (artificial intelligence) listens but is incapable of thinking. I've never seen homeless eating a meal at McDonalds unless it's out of a dumpster or bought for them. I get a text. It's time to go. I listen.

Back to a little farm news this week. With the planters completed, hooked up, and ready, we started on combines. Dean and Jim needed to weld a patch on a hole on top of the clean grain elevator.

Alex was able to finish our custom ammonia jobs between cold sprinkles.

A hog company had six finisher pits they didn't think would make it till after harvest. So I agreed to switch some acres from soybeans to corn to take advantage of the free fertilizer. 

 

Back to last week's story. I had gotten up early Tuesday morning in Yuma to watch the eclipse and the moon turn red. I was outside with the motel manager listening to his story. This was his second job, a night manager. He had a 17 year old son that played and was good in 3 sports. I asked about his relationship with the Lord. He said he didn't do that stuff. He said that his son was hanging around some good kids, attending a little church, and writing about some hope on his social media. Brother Doug called. I excused myself, went and got Jan, and told the motel manager we would be leaving soon. He expressed his condolences. I thanked him and then told him we were ok because we had that hope his son was writing about. We arrived back home 25 hours later, after 1646 miles, 4 gas and coffee stops, and more listening to sermons and podcasts to stay awake.

Have you ever walked in an assisted living home and saw all those sober unsmiling faces in their wheelchairs, and wondered about their listening capabilities? After Mom's funeral on Saturday, I went to Osky Care Center like usual on Sunday morning to greet those I'd become acquainted with while sitting with Mom during breakfast all those years. Staff has told me over half the residents get very few visits. 8 of those sober faces looked me in the eye as I was walking by them and said, "I miss your Mama". Wow! They listen. They observe. And my mother who hadn't walked in 7 years had an impact on them, even in her mild dementia state of mind. Others told me my mother would often tell them that they were won-der-ful.

When we were kids, my Mom would say, "Are you listening to me?" She wasn't asking if we heard her. She was asking if we were obeying her, usually when we weren't. Again, listening is an action word. Obeying. Your mother; your perceptions when you feel a nudge to speak to someone; or that quiet voice that tells you to listen to someone's story. Are you listening today to your family, your friends, your God? 

90% of the time I keep a phone by my bed at night in case someone needs a 2AM friend and listening ear about bad news. I don't think about good news coming. A little after 1AM my phone dinged and told me Russell Andrew entered the world. Another of my parents 4th generation legacy. My younger sister Beth will make a fine Grandma.

Let It Be Today

The night motel manager in Yuma, AZ and I were outside watching the eclipse of the moon turn red early Tuesday morning (3/3/26) when I received a call from brother Doug telling me our mother had passed away. As I thought about Mom in glory, the song, "Hymn of Heaven" came to mind; "And on that day, we join the resurrection, and stand beside the heroes of the faith". She is also with her husband Harry, son Dan, and great-grandson Ryker.

We as siblings and our spouses spent time together remembering, grieving, celebrating, and planning her funeral. Our spouses are absolutely part of our extended family; Beth and husband Dan, Bill and wife Julie, Doug and wife Ginger, Donna and husband Roger, and I and my wonderful wife Jan.

Our parent's clan has grown to around 100 souls, and still growing. Mom's funeral was held at church yesterday (3/7/26) on Jan and my 51st wedding anniversary. Our son-in-law Brian (Becky's husband) was the pastor. He read several of mother's favorite Bible passages. In Psalms 78 Asaph talks about telling stories to the next generations. Brian reminded us these stories carry the truth of redemption. And challenged us as to what stories are we telling for the heritage we are leaving behind. Thanks for the picture Lucas.

I thank God every day for Jan, our children, their children, their children's children, and even boyfriends and girlfriends. However I don't thank Him often enough for the family He put me in that raised me with stories of redemption and faithfulness, and passed along a heritage that I can now attempt to pass to our kids, Karl and Kristin, Kurt and Emily, Mike and Suzanne, Mark and Stacy, BJ and Cassia, and Becky and Brian. There is a fine line between being proud of one's family and recognizing they all belong to God and are given by grace.

The Hymn of Heaven song continues; "With one voice, a thousand generations sing, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Forever He shall reign". As parents, we aren't just given the responsibility to raise our children, but to raise our children to raise their children in the Lord. Mom and Dad's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren went up during the funeral and led us in the song, Jesus Loves Me. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Actions reflect character, and show God's faithfulness at work. Mother's life was only a small slice of the big picture in God's time table. But often God uses insignificant common folks to accomplish great things behind the scenes.

Mom trusted her Lord. Trust does not guarantee the absence of a battle. It guarantees the presence of God in the battle. And when the battle is over, He welcomes and says, "Well done good and faithful servant".

Mom taught me steadfastness, caring, servant heartedness, and generosity. Dad taught me responsibility, how to depend on others, and a work ethic. They moved six times during my 18 years at home. They welcomed dozens of foster kids and aging relatives to live with us.

This is a different twist to the finish of this story. Last Tuesday was Purim (Jewish festival of redemption concerning the Queen Esther story which happened in Iran by the way), The eclipse (blood moon), Iran (Persia and Elam), wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes (in the USA and around the world this past week), Mom and her friend Marilyn's passing and her friend John's funeral. All came together on 3/3. Jeremiah 3:33 says, "Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets that you do not know about things to come". My emphasis this morning is not on the "remarkable secrets". My point this morning is God invites His people to, "Ask me and I will tell you". God promises to answer with insight beyond human understanding. 

We need not fear what's ahead for the future of our children. We need to prepare and instruct our next generations. And thank God we live in "for such a time as this". In Luke 21 Jesus tells His disciples, "So when these things happen, look up, for your redemption draws near". Hymn of Heaven finishes with the chorus; "So let it be today we shout the hymn of heaven. Glory be to God who gave us life beyond the grave".

Choices

Every day the sun comes up we have choices. What needs done today? Will we choose to be positive or negative on accomplishments? Will we compliment or criticize? Will we see the glass half full or half empty? At the end of today, who did we benefit?

This past Tuesday we hosted an excellent planter clinic. Clayton reminded us about dozens of planter parts and settings that need checked or replaced to help insure a good start to our crop year. Kudos to family for making and serving over 100 pizzas and dozens of desserts. Thanks to good help for keeping the coffee filled, making popcorn, finding extra chairs, and helping clean up. 

Some high school grandkids and their friends asked their parents for an excuse to take a half a day of school off to join us. Below grandson Tatum and great-grand-daughter Oakley are sitting on the seed treatment hay rack sharing popcorn. Thanks for the picture Kristin.

Alex and Kasey worked on tile fixes. Sometimes an old clay tile breaks. Sometimes a rodent makes a hole in the plastic tile causing it to suck dirt. Occasionally an orange intake gets hit by machinery and parts need replaced. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

We finished overhauling a customer's 12/23 planter this past week. We have three more ready to work on next week. 

We use and sell Prescription Tillage Technology disc openers. Their unique design of seriated edges cut residue better. They also fracture the soil profile, maximizing soil moisture to the seed. They have a leading edge which alleviates the need for no-till coulters. They outlast two sets of OEM openers. We are finally replacing a set on one of our planters after 7500 acres of use on a 12 row high speed planter.

When I was a small kid I remember our family visiting John and Louise's family on a farm north of Rose Hill. John taught me to roller skate on the wooden floor at Edgetown Roller Rink. I remember when country schools closed in the 1960s, and their kids coming to Osky Christian School. Their family later moved to a farm northwest of Pella. John passed away early Thursday evening and joined Louise in heaven. Our prayers for the family; Bonnie, Jan, Ken and Karen (twins), and Jon and Jay (twins). Jon, who we call Papa Jon when he helps us farm, is Emily's father, and obviously then Kurt's father-in-law. Thanks for the picture.

All choices have consequences. Sometimes we  have character choices that are based on the commitment of what we believe. Will we compromise and stay comfortable? Or will we dare to be a Daniel, and possibly face a lion's den? Christ protected Daniel. He'll do the same for us. Blessings.

2 Things

On Friday afternoon my phone dinged and there was a message from Barb saying she (state rep) and Mike (sec of ag) were going to meet Ken (state senator) at Gideon and Emily's Sully Locker and Meat Market. Thanks for the picture. Kudos to Gid and Em and their little family for honoring God and blessing others in the 2nd year of their business venture.

Gideon and Emily had a family addition in recent weeks. Eleanor joined her older sister Oakley February 3. Oakley is introducing little Ellie to Great-Grandma Jan last Sunday at church.

Jan has 2 siblings. Friday evening we met Donna and Arlin, and Paul and Gayle, for Paul's birthday. It was fun catching up. Paul and his son have a drone business and spray crops and pastures.

I have 2 living brothers and 2 sisters. We got together last Sunday evening for pizza at Bill and Julie's house while Beth and Dan were visiting Iowa. Our mother resides in assisted living. Our father and brother Dan are both in heaven.

We have 2 pieces of good news. My CT scan on Tuesday showed no visible additional cancer. Jan's MRI early Thursday morning showed her brain tumor had not grown in six months. We both feel healthy and are enjoying the many blessings God has given us. Thank you all for your prayers.

There are 2 things we as farmers need to help have a successful 2026 crop season. First, we need to be ready for planting season with a plan. On Tuesday our family is hosting a detailed planter clinic. Topics include the list below. There will also be information on biological seed treatment. And different kinds of planter attachments and parts on display. Kurt and Emily and crew will be serving wood fired pizzas. You are welcome to join us. You might let us know so we prepare plenty of lunch.

The 2nd thing we need to be ready for in 2026 is a marketing plan. I know. Low markets make it hard. That's all the more reason to have a plan. Know your cost of production, and remember, you can't save your way into a successful year. It takes dollars to raise good yields. 2nd, set marketing goals for both old and new crop. Try and hit singles and don't wait for a homerun. 2026 new crop prices show a small profit on a good crop.

Last Monday after lunch, the younger grandkids and I played a game involving winning and losing dollar bills. 😊 No worries, after the game the money was gathered up and reallocated. Everyone went home with 2 dollar bills.

After a full house governor's candidate forum at Smokey Row Saturday morning, Adam met our grandkids and told them they were the future of our state. He also told them 2 things. To love God. And to give 100% effort. That's good advice.

Anyone who has a hog finisher knows how hard it is to drag dead market weight hogs down the long alleyway. Karl and crew built a couple of different styles of pig pullers using a motor, a winch, and a remote. One fits on a skidloader. The other gets pulled by a 4-wheeler, Ranger, or vehicle. If you'd like to try one out or have Karl build you one let us know.

I took a picture of where the Cedar Creek empties into the Des Moines River. 2 prominent water streams. A couple of weeks ago brother Bill and I were invited to attend and share at a young men's Thursday evening study of being a man. I think in our culture today there are 2 things that are trip ups for hardworking guys; pride and fatigue. Someday I'll explain my opinion. I also think there are 2 antidotes for these trip ups; Honor God above else. And bless others generously. Continue to lead well men.