Good morning folks. Well I'm back in the camera business. My daughter-in-law, Cassia found me a camera that is waterproof, dustproof, and even shockproof. It says right on the camera it can stand a fall of five feet, about the height of my shirt pocket. The only problem is I spent all week in the dozer taking boring pictures of dirt so I'm going to share a story with you this week.
Back in the 1960's brothers, Daryl and Tom, were prominant, cutting edge farmers north of Rose Hill. After their father died in the 1970's they decided to desolve their partnership and farm seperately.
Daryl decided to run for public office as county supervisor and not buy his own line of machinery. He and his wife Rosie had two children and lived on the old home farm.
One fall morning about 6 am Daryl called a young 22 year old farmer and asked him if he would like to rent a farm. He said his corn was about half harvested and chiseling could start at any time. Daryl said some rainy day he might have a contract written up. Terms and acres were never mentioned. That 22 year old was me and Daryl's half of the farm was 400 acres. It doubled my operation back in 1978.
In those early years we would spend weeks at a time at their farm putting in and taking out the crop. The soybeans were stored together. The corn was divided by the row. We always stopped and ate lunch at the house that Rosie always fixed. I can still remember Daryl saying the same grace every meal. "Bless O Lord for these thy gifts which we are about to partake through the bounties of thy grace. Amen. Help yourself." One noon in particular I remember it was drizzling. I had spent the night before in the hospital with Jan who had given birth to our second son. I wasn't sure if Daryl wanted me to continue to pick corn in the drizzle so I told him Jan was in the hospital. I'll never forget he said, "what the h--- are you doing here. Go see your new son." Happy Birthday in a few days Mark.
In the early 2000's as Daryl's health started to be an issue he asked us if we would buy the farm. I told him I wanted to rent from him forever. A couple of years later we purchaced a large portion of the farm spitting it with a neighbor.
As I was building terraces on the farm this past week I was struck by the fact that Daryl and Rosie would quit farming in their early fifties, my age now, and give a chance to a young family. Renting 400 acres during the 1980's was the blessing that allowed us to keep going and raise 6 children during that time.
Since Daryl and both children have died we include Rosie as part of our family and try and visit her every week where she lives in assisted living. Thank you Rosie for your friendship. Thank you God for your providence. Daryl, someday when I join you in heaven I hope we can farm together again happily everafter.
Back in the 1960's brothers, Daryl and Tom, were prominant, cutting edge farmers north of Rose Hill. After their father died in the 1970's they decided to desolve their partnership and farm seperately.
Daryl decided to run for public office as county supervisor and not buy his own line of machinery. He and his wife Rosie had two children and lived on the old home farm.
One fall morning about 6 am Daryl called a young 22 year old farmer and asked him if he would like to rent a farm. He said his corn was about half harvested and chiseling could start at any time. Daryl said some rainy day he might have a contract written up. Terms and acres were never mentioned. That 22 year old was me and Daryl's half of the farm was 400 acres. It doubled my operation back in 1978.
In those early years we would spend weeks at a time at their farm putting in and taking out the crop. The soybeans were stored together. The corn was divided by the row. We always stopped and ate lunch at the house that Rosie always fixed. I can still remember Daryl saying the same grace every meal. "Bless O Lord for these thy gifts which we are about to partake through the bounties of thy grace. Amen. Help yourself." One noon in particular I remember it was drizzling. I had spent the night before in the hospital with Jan who had given birth to our second son. I wasn't sure if Daryl wanted me to continue to pick corn in the drizzle so I told him Jan was in the hospital. I'll never forget he said, "what the h--- are you doing here. Go see your new son." Happy Birthday in a few days Mark.
In the early 2000's as Daryl's health started to be an issue he asked us if we would buy the farm. I told him I wanted to rent from him forever. A couple of years later we purchaced a large portion of the farm spitting it with a neighbor.
As I was building terraces on the farm this past week I was struck by the fact that Daryl and Rosie would quit farming in their early fifties, my age now, and give a chance to a young family. Renting 400 acres during the 1980's was the blessing that allowed us to keep going and raise 6 children during that time.
Since Daryl and both children have died we include Rosie as part of our family and try and visit her every week where she lives in assisted living. Thank you Rosie for your friendship. Thank you God for your providence. Daryl, someday when I join you in heaven I hope we can farm together again happily everafter.
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