Well, we have arrived at Denise's homeplace on the banks of the Upper
Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Had a beautiful drive
up, in our RV, through Northern Missouri and across Iowa,
following the River Road out of Saint Louis. Through Hannibal, MO,
Iowa City, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Strawberry Point, IA on to McGregor, IA
and across a really low water Mississippi into Prairie du Chien. Saw
an awful lot of Farmers suffering from crop damage due to the extreme
heat and low rainfall early in the year. But, they will come back in a
new season, new crops, new resolve, because that is what farmers do,
they bet against the weather, against pests and destructive forces of
nature. Our Midwest farmers feed the world, and my ancestors did it in
the 1800's around Peoria, Illinois. My father did it in the Ozarks
during the 50's drought when we were running 200 head of beef cows and
the land dried up, the rain stopped, the feed prices skyrocketed and we
almost lost the farm....but, we survived to farm again. I've been gone
from the Farm business for a long time now, but the understanding of the
challenges, heartbreak, toil and labor gone for nothing at the bad turn
of weather is still ingrained in my innerself. My thoughts and prayers
are with the farm families who are hurting right now, and who, I am
sure, will return to plant and harvest again. -Stan
No comments:
Post a Comment