Faith. Family. Farm

Just recently one of my uncles passed away at the age of 96. He was a World War II veteran. He was a husband, a father of five adopted children, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and many other titles. I debated about whether or not to go to his funeral. It was a three hour drive one way and I was struggling with having my lower ribs out of place.  Not to mention that I was facing two very important deadlines at work and we were a tad behind. My gracious coworkers encouraged me to go to the funeral as did my husband, so I did. I am very grateful that I did.

(Here is a link to a 2009 interview with Uncle Leo about his WWII experiences. http://m.bismarcktribune.com/video/living-history-leo-unser/youtube_ba8047f2-fbaa-11e2-a2f2-0019bb2963f4.html)

Uncle Leo was a devout Catholic. He had spent his whole life worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ and trying to live a Godly life. The sermon at his funeral mass was one of the best I think I have ever heard. The priest said he was going to focus on the three F’s.  Faith. Family. Farm. Ever since we left the church my mind has been trying to decide what to do with this so here goes part one.
Farm.

Leo Unser

As I said early on in this adventure, I am a farm girl. I have always had a love of agriculture and I believe I always will. Uncle Leo was a farmer. He lived through good times, bad times, and some downright terrible times. Being a man of faith and a man with a strong sense of family, he persevered. Once he no longer farmed he still gardened. And I do remember his amazing garden.

My own garden spring 2015

You see once you are a caretaker of the land, I believe you always will be. It saddens me when I open the newspaper or scroll through Facebook to see the negativity towards modern-day agriculture. I have family that still farm. I have many friends that farm. Some are conventional farmers that grow crops in traditional ways and may include GMO (genetically modified) seeds. They may use modern-day chemicals to control weeds, insects and other potential problems. Some are organic. Their crops do not get sprayed with certain chemicals (organic crops can and do get sprayed but they have a much stricter and limited choice of what to use. True USDA certified organic farmers go through a tremendous amount of education and paperwork. If you buy organic make sure it is USDA certified.)

I know dairy farmers. Both organic and conventional. Some use human laborers and others  robotic milkers. Some milk less than 100 cows while others milk 5000 cows.  We drink milk. We eat yogurt, cheese,  ice cream and I use real butter. We support our dairy farmers.

Milkers waiting for the cows. (Photo Courtesy of Amanda Becker Photography)

I know Farmers that raise hogs. Some raise and care for the sows (the mother pigs) as they give birth and care for their young. I know farmers that raise pigs from when they are weened from the sows until they go to market. I know Farmers that raise a few for their own family use and I know those that raise hundreds and thousands of animals in climate controled barns. I grew up raising pigs in open barns with outside access and with sows giving birth in farrowing crates. I helped grind feed and I kept many alive by running makeshift sprinklers in the heat of the summer. Plus I love bacon. And pork chops. And pork roasts. And Ham. And Bacon. We support hog farmers.

Piglets investigating the photographer. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Becker Photography)

I know people that raise beef cattle. Some that are only fed grass. Some that are raised on corn, wheat, soybeans and other grains and grass. Some live outside and others in barns and open lots. I know Farmers that have cattle that they raise to give birth and I know others that’s only fatten the calves for market. I know farmers that raise them simply for their own use and yet others that raise them for a profit. I like steak. And hamburger. And beef roasts. And we are raising two always-growing-always-hungry boys. We support our beef farmers.

Some beef cattle grazing in the pasture. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Becker Photography)

I’ve been around Farmers that raise poultry. Both chickens and turkey. Some raised for eggs and some for slaughter. Between Nate and I we know farmers that raise other kinds of livestock (animals) as well.  We like eggs. And chicken. And turkey. We support all livestock farmers.

Livestock farmers love and care for their animals. Sometimes that means a visit to the house and a bottle. (Photo Courtesy of Amanda Becker Photography)

We also know many farmers that raise commodities. One of our closest friends raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and navy beans. He and his family have also raised sugar beets, potatoes, sunflowers, and other forms of dry edible beans like Great Northern, black turtles, small and large red kidney beans and others. I like baked beans and Chili and calico beans and sunflower seeds.

Harvesting beans in the Red River Valley.

I know Farmers that raise sugar beets. Who doesn’t like sugar? (Yes everything in moderation but seriously pie…cake…coffee…kuechn…sugar.)

I know Farmers that raise corn for sweet corn. Fresh on the cob is the only way I eat it. My boys love it fresh, frozen, canned, scalloped…etc.

I know Farmers that grow potatoes for tablestock and others that grow potatoes for making french fries and potato chips.

I know Farmers that grow canola for its oil and flax. I know people that raise honey bees to farm the honey.

Yes these all exist in our great state of ND but many of the farmers I know are from Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. The really cool thing is I have met Farmers through our involvement in Farm Bureau that grow almonds, tobacco, peanuts, fruits and vegetables like peaches and strawberries and lettuce and onions and so many more of our food products.

So who do I support in the great question of Agriculture and sustainability?

I support ALL Farmers and Ranchers.. yes that is it. Farmers. Ranchers. I support them all. You should too.

I follow many great blogs about agriculture. As a farm girl myself I feel the excitement they share in the springtime and I worry every time the storm clouds start to build. And we say our night time prayers and always include God bless the farmers.

Many of the pictures I included came from Amanda Becker Photography. Amanda is Nate’s cousin and a great photographer! She farms with her husband and kids. Check her farming blog out on Facebook. 

https://m.facebook.com/shutthebarndoor/

Agriculture is the backbone of our country. It always has been. It always will be. If you eat, you are a part of agriculture.

If you don’t grow it you better support those that do.
Support farmers. Period.

(For any of you that received an email version of this that was a mess…I apologize! I was switching devices and had issues!)