Accepting Change

When Jan and I got married my dream was to live and farm 200 acres southeast of New Sharon. That neighborhood was the only world I knew. When that farm sold a year later we had to make a change. We have lived and raised our family at this current location just southwest of Oskaloosa for 48 years.

Accepting change can be challenging. My advice is to view change as an opportunity. Let go of what is beyond your control. Be open and flexible. Bounce ideas off of others you trust. Thanks for lunch in the field Brent and Nutrien.

On Friday Jan went to Amish and Mennonite country in Cantril. Claire and his family started Dutchman's 35 years ago in an old building downtown. The old store, reasonable prices, and friendly help had appeal. When the family wasn't scared of the 2020 pandemic like everyone else was, his business exploded. The huge growth and old buildings required them to make a change. Were there hurdles? Some were just about insurmountable. But today their new large building sits just outside of town on Hwy 2. Is it different? Yes. Was a change necessary? Yes.  Thanks for the picture of a local Amishman harvesting Jan.

                             

We are in week 7 of harvest. We are currently making the loop west of Pella, north to Galesburg, and then over to Peoria and Sully combining both our own and customwork. Fortunately our breakdowns have been fixed in a matter of hours and not days. Thanks to a great crew.

We did go down to Lovila on Thursday and cut 200 acres of soybeans for Gary. Thanks for the picture Kasey. Thanks for hunting us up with lunch Jeremie and Newfields Ag.

In the mid 1980s there were rumors a corn processor was coming to southern Iowa. They purchased an old power plant along the Des Moines River in Eddyville. This change worried local grain elevators at the time. In 1985 they started buying corn from both farmers and elevators and processing 65000 bushel/day. Early on we brought them corn day and night since they were open 24 hrs/day. Because of continued growth today they process 275000 bushels/day.

Our family has brought this processor corn for 40 years and will continue to do so. We are an integral part of each other's operations. For 20 years 90% of our corn crop went straight to Eddyville in September and early October. However corn receiving at this plant has not kept up with their growth. And more and more farmers are utilizing the benefits of fall delivery.

So in early September our family started phase one of a corn storage facility at Morgan corner just east of where we live. This is a change I drug my feet on for many years. Life was simpler bringing the crop straight to town. Especially since we forward contract most of our bushels. However we need to better manage the hours we have for fall harvest. Yesterday was the first day we dumped corn here.

When I was a kid our family would go visit John and Louise's family when they lived near Rose Hill. Both families had six children. Our helper Papa Jon is one of those children. Kurt's wife Emily is a grandchild. Emily brought Grandpa John to the field. We enjoyed visiting about old times and all the changes. John taught me how to roller skate at Edgetown Roller Rink on a wooden floor 60 years ago. Thanks for the picture Emily.

We have been making good progress hauling hog honey(manure). Thanks for the help Roger.

Jan and I continue to watch The Chosen series on Sunday evenings. The church leaders of Bible times would not accept the change from all their man made rules to a relationship with Jesus. So they killed Him. However that was God's plan. Jesus died for our wrongs. If we accept that gift, we have the assurance of help on earth and eternal life in Heaven.

Are you struggling with accepting change as I sometimes do? Don't regret the past. Don't worry about the future. Even in our non-Godly culture today. Focus on the present. Enjoy every day you're given. And allow God to work His purpose through you. Until next week, Blessings.