'Tis the Season

'Tis the season ...

A year of planning, preparations, waiting and anticipation draws closer to an end as the farmer begins harvest. For some it's a break away from working in town or ranching, while to those whose life is solely dedicated to the production of grain crops, it is their entire life.

Phillips County is an agricultural based county and businesses and individuals all know and feel the impact as well as importance of a strong agricultural community. The saying that a dollar goes around seven times in quite evident when one considers the dollar goes from the farmer to the local seed outlet, to the spray and fertilizer applicator, then to the gas/oil plant while taking a detour over to the tire shop for repairs and don't overlook the insurance premiums. The farmer shares the $ at the grocery store (occasionally a restaurant to appease the little Mrs./aka hired hand) and on occasion the floral and gift shop to say thank you for sticking with me and standing beside me through the thick and thin of things. Add a stop to the local clinic and drug store (for accidents and even annual checkups) for medication and supplies. The dollar also finds its way to the eye doctor and dentist along its route. Let's not overlook the local implement dealer for his payments as well. The saying "pass the buck" seems quite fitting when considering the pattern of a farmer's dollar.

And come fall, "when the work's all done.." the farmer, often with grease stained calloused hands and wearing mended blue jeans heads to the local bank to square up finances for the year and start planning for next year. Truly the farmer (as does the rancher) lives in "next year" country where dreams and aspirations are met and sometimes revamped.

In preparing for this story, farmers and families were asked their favorite memory of harvest season and the responses included the following:

... taking lunches to the field and helping dad and grandpa. ... sitting in the truck box and playing in the wheat kernels. chewing wheat until it made gum. ...combines without cabs! The HEAT and the DUST! Some added: sitting on dad's lap while I got to drive and make a round. "This is when I learned to close the gate on the truck box so the next load wouldn't unload across the field!"

One individual shared that the coming of the age of the CB radio really made a difference in their farming operation"....helping when the night had already set in and they were still cutting and couldn't find a truck when they needed to unload. One shared that they got to ride on the combine and were responsible to keep an eye out for rocks (rocks in the head ruin things in a hurry), while one shared about the rushing to beat a hail storm and or severe wind storm blowing in (neither are a farmer's friend).

And of course, there are those that "learned sign language" and learned (or heard) an occasional off word in disgust or frustration.

Many had experienced their day (and grandpa's too) break down in tears when the "white combines" (hail) came through and handed the farmer an immeasurable loss – financially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Some would pull up the boot straps while for some it was the "make it or break it" card dealt to them.

Farming is a family life – it involves 2, 3, and sometimes 4 generations working the operation. It allows and presents bonding and cultivates the values of work ethics, motivation, pride, honesty, responsibility and personal growth.

It also does wonders for the heart. Wheat fields have been the venue for marriage proposals and the setting for many weddings. A lot of wedding dates have been planned around or after harvest ~ as few things take precedence over getting the crop off the field and into the bins.

Strong friendships and family ties are reflective of the chafe blowing in the breeze and falling gracefully from the auger into the load. Farming is family and some start here with a wheat packet thrown at weddings instead of rice, while also ending up in bridal bouquets and wedding flowers. Wheat sprays have been a final tribute resting on the casket of farmers who earned their final rest. The wheat spray is reflective of the good earth and good stewardship. At some weddings (and funerals) the wheat is in the sacred host for communion, and also is the peacefulness of a spray on the altar.

Families also know the ultimate cost of farming where a price can't be accounted for. Some have lost fingers and limbs due to farming. Families have lost loved ones to farming. That which bonds them together also holds them together during these times. They are weather channel watchers and keep an ear on a local radio station if at all possible for pending situations concerning weather warnings.

Homesteading days held colorful memories of crews getting in for supper at 10 or 11 p.m. and meals were hot and ready. The younger generations are missing out on a lot of "when I was a young kid...." with the new state of the art equipment and machinery, with some single pieces of equipment costing more than some old farmers ever made in their lifetime!

Several families shared their favorite part of harvest was that look on the bankers face when they brought that check in to the bank. Some things are priceless. One shared their experience of learning how to "unload on the go" (when, to save valuable time, the truck drove alongside the combine while it continued to cut while also unloading the hopper full of grain into the truck box) and this also adds to the list of the local welding shop being added to the places where the farmers dollar travels. It was also a time for "cousins from the city" to lend a hand and learn some of the real skills in life...up close and personal.

And back in the "old days" a rugged farmer would walk through the door at night, blackened with dirt and the only thing visible is the eyes of his eyes, hiding among the bloodshot eyes filled with matter...and still able to break into a smile, despite what his day had dealt him.

Farmers are one of those that know their lifestyle isn't a 40 hour week, nor is it an 8-5 and seldom are there built in holidays and vacations. What keeps many of the farmers going is probably the pay.... many get three and a half... three meals and half a night's sleep!

Prices and the uncertainty from day to day adds to the stressors of farming. In addition to the elements of nature, farmers also face having to be watchful for smut, bugs in the bin and occasionally a virus.

There are few things a farmer appreciates and enjoys more than watching the seed sprout, get to the boot stage and then start heading out. Some kids learned that when you can toss your cap onto the wheat and it rests atop the heads and doesn't fall down one can almost bet on at least a 35 bushel to the acre crop, unbarring any circumstances and mother nature. While there are still farmers in our area, farms in general are disappearing.

Locally, most of the winter wheat has been harvested and the spring wheat harvest is underway. Barley and oats are often cut down and baled for use during the winter on farm/ranch operations. Protein levels this year have been reported as lower than anticipated or desired. Protein levels is one of the contributing factors to determine the price of grain at the elevator. Crops have been running the usual 35-50 bushel to the acre, while one individual stated the wheat was running close to 100 bushel to the acre. Local wheat is shipped via truck and train to points east and west.

The fertile soils and the farm life hold the most treasured payouts the farmer loves – the silver he enjoys in the moonlight skies with stars overhead and the gold in his life ~ from the amber waving grains and sunsets.

Farmers are dedicated, usually tired and are one of the characters in life that can hold up in the heat of the day with hands that turn wrenches and repair and grip and then come night turn into the gentle hands that hold the face of a young child or grab his loved one for a dance across the kitchen floor when a favorite old song comes on the radio.

Remember to be grateful, some farmer is missing his supper so you will get yours.

The song lyrics "the harvest is plenty...laborers are few..." is becoming truer each year. For many...farming will be their life til their last breath... because it IS their life.