StillwatersIowa

This is Gideon and his new calf with John standing by. The calf was a twin and his Mom wasn't interested in her so Gideon, with his Dad's help, bought it and took it home in the old van. Becky and Brian's boys also have a bucket bottle calf. DOT, their dog, is making sure the calf feels welcome and part of the family. Often when Karl gets weaner pigs they double fill him and then about 8 weeks later half the grower pigs go out to fill someone else's shed. Kurt and Karl are pushing the pigs on to a semi. Brad and Kurt are unloading their Rangers to check fields for wet spots, missing or broken intakes, or tile holes. The issues are either repaired or noted to be fixed later with a backhoe or a tiling machine. My Mom had shoulder replacement surgery this past week. She is doing well and recovering at North Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. My sister Beth came from Colorado for a few days to help out. Several grandchildren were involved in our churches Cadet...

In 1926 Wallaces Farmer started the Master Farmers recognition. A Master Farmer was described as having faith in their communities, giving time, money, and thought to helping make life and living better for others as well as themselves and their own. The scorecard that was used grouped the requirements under three categories: Good Farming, Clear Thinking, Right Living. Below are the Master Farmers of the 1920s. Frank, from Mahaska County, a 1928 awardee is third from the right in the front row. Lewis, from Marion County, is second from the left in the front row.  "Good Farming" covered the operation and management of the farm. Those 1920s men were just starting to use limestone, rock phosphate, and better cultivation methods for weed eradication in their row crops. A few were trying alfalfa rather than clover. Several of them were using the "McLean system" for raising hogs.  "Clear Thinking" involved records and handling of finances. All the award...

20/20 vision is a term used to express the clarity or sharpness of what we see. Some folks see things clearly. Others need help. I have worn glasses ever since I was seven years old. I put my glasses on to answer the phone in the middle of the night. I have lived with them so long I feel uncomfortable without them on.   This bunch is shifting gears and is busy with spring projects ranging from shop work, calving, home projects, and even starting some dirt work.   Since we only get one chance a year and about 40-50 chances in a lifetime to raise a crop, farmers need to make sure they are doing everything possible to be prepared. Planters today have 20/20 vision and can show you on their computer with accuracy and clarity what kind of job you are doing.   Some folks can clearly see potential in a project and know that with a little planning and a lot of hard work good results are possible. This is ...

40 years ago last night Jan and I were married in the Central Reformed Church where Jan attended. My brother Bill and my sister Beth were ring bearer and flower girl. Beth was 5 and Bill was 8. I was 18 and Jan was 19. My parents were 40.  40 years ago our honeymoon was to northwest Iowa for the weekend. For the past number of years we have spent a week together in Arizona before things get really busy.   This year the Commodity Classic was in Phoenix. Fellowship of Christian Farmers always has a booth and dares to talk to folks about their eternity. They also sponsor a church service on Saturday evening where I gave the message. We also visit Aunt Ruth when we go to Arizona. Her and her husband who has since passed away moved down to the valley in 1961. Her 1986 Crown Victoria still looks like a new car. All her life she has enjoyed getting and reading all her old home town news from the Pella Chronicle and saving many of them. So while th...