Swamper Tales Book Review

A family friend wrote the book below about his coming of age in the 60's and 70's showing dairy and beef cattle in Southern Illinois.  The book contains the stories of the characters he met and worked for on the fair circuit.  His stories cover farm life and times.  Every tale is true.  It is a quick read and very enjoyable.  Photographs enhance many of the stories.  Roger Peach is selling the book on his facebook page.  This would make a great Christmas gift for the livestock exhibitor in your life, or anyone who grew up in the 60's.  

One Man's Junk

The Massey Ferguson 540 below has been parked along Route 16 between Litchfield and Hillsboro for several weeks. It is for sale.  It reminds me of  a story that took place in 1986-87.

One day I stopped to see a farmer named Herbie who was combining corn with a John Deere 45 with a rounded back end.  That means it was ancient even then.  When I pulled up, Herbie jumped off the combine and started to complain about it.  He farmed less than 200 acres, but it was worn out even for that acreage.  A combine can be an expensive purchase for a small farmer.

A few days later, I stopped to see a guy named Lance.  Lance was sitting in an older Massey Ferguson complaining that the transmission had gone out and he wished he could find a newer more reliable combine.  Lance also farmed around 200 acres or maybe a bit more.

Fast forward a year.  I stopped in to see Lance and he was showing me a Massey Ferguson 540 like the one pictured below.  It had low hours considering its age.  Lance had bought it on auction.  Lance was very pleased with it and it was working well.

A few days later, I stopped to see Herbie.  He had bought Lance's old combine and could not have been happier with it.  It was in much better shape than his John Deere and doing just what he needed it to do.  The story proves the axiom that "One Man's junk is another man's treasure."

Getting Ready for Spring Sampling

The time came to replace my old Dodge Truck.  The red truck had 249,000 miles on it.  Last fall it broke down and left me without  a work vehicle for 6 days.  Shopping on line and in the newspaper I spotted the white truck which looked to be a good deal.  At the end of January at my wife's urging we went to look at the truck and decided to buy it.  After getting it home, I found warranty issues and so back to the dealer it went.  I used the old truck in the meantime to do a septic investigation.  All the equipment was on the old one.

My wife said we needed running boards, so while it was in the shop, it got running boards.  The warranty repair was made promptly and to my satisfaction.  The old truck was parked in the driveway  with a for sale sign in the window.  I was able to clean out the interior before it was sold, but the toolbox still had tools in it.  The young man who bought it helped me put the stuff in my garage.  Then it was off to get a toolbox and mount it.  Last Tuesday, I used the new truck for work for the first time.  Even so, I wanted a bed mat to minimize scratches.  I finally got the bed mat installed, so it was time to load the 4 wheeler.  I found that the tie down points were in the wrong place, so I moved them.   Yesterday, I went through all the stuff in the cab hoping to consolidate some and throw some away.  I found broken equipment and repaired it.  I found little to throw away.  Most of the stuff I carry I  have needed at one time or another.  

It is still a month off, but I am hoping I am ready for the spring sampling season.  If I put on the usual 18,000 miles per year, and the truck lasts for 249,000 miles, I will have that truck for a long time.

Old Truck

New Truck

Hillsboro Soil Conservationist Passes

I am sad to report the passing of Don Long, former District Conservationist for USDA Soil Conservation Service in Hillsboro.  I first met Don when I was a young soil scientist in Edwardsville.  We worked in the same administrative area.  When I moved to Hillsboro, Don had been retired about 5 years.  He would stop by the office from time to time to share his wisdom.  He had solid common sense.  In more recent years, I have joined Don and a group of other retired people for coffee.  Don often had a story to share with the group.  I will always remember a road trip in the summer of 2014 to his farm near Crossville.  Don showed me all around the farm.  I collected soil samples to have tested using our then new Soil Heath Tool.  His land had been in continuous No-till for 30 years by that time, and it showed.  Don's obituary is worth a look.

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Football is a big deal in small towns.  Hillsboro FFA served Pork Patties, Boneless Pork Chops and Marcoot Dairy's Custom Made Ice Cream.

FFA Cookout 

Memorial Day

This weekend we pause to consider the soldiers who fought and died for our country.  The veterans memorial in Hillsboro will be the site of a ceremony tomorrow, weather permitting.  General Logan first directed the decoration of graves in 1868.  The agriculture connection?  Many who fought and died for our country were farmers or farm boys who went off to war and then came home to grow our food.  Think of these guys as you enjoy your beer and BBQ.

Hillsboro, Illinois Veterans Memorial

Farmersville to Wagonner Green Diamond Trail

By Angela Karban:

On Sunday, May 17, Don and I scouted our first trail of the 2015 Trailblazers Challenge.  We rode our bikes on the tree-lined asphalt path from Farmersville to Waggoner, the Green Diamond Trail.  We saw and listened to the melodic songs of many birds, including cardinals, robins, wrens, blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, and the beautiful indigo bunting. There was an abundance of milkweed plants along the edges which will feed the Monarch butterflies later in the summer.  And the sweet smell of the honeysuckle flowers was still in the air.  It was a delightful ride on a windy Sunday.

Come join us for the group walk at 9:00 a.m. on May 30th to start the season.  A light breakfast of orange juice and granola bars will be served  at the Farmersville entrance.  Bring your binoculars to view the birds more closely.

In Memory of Ed Winkle

Ed Winkle, a fellow blogger and consultant passed away last week and was buried yesterday.  Ed's blog was Hymark High Spots.  He sometimes wrote more than one entry in a day, and he wrote on a wide variety of topics.  His last blog was March 30 concerning his health.  At that time he was still optimistic about treatments.

So how did Ed touch me?  He was about the only reader who commented regularly here to start with.  His comments were always kind.  He also used Facebook and twitter to get his message out.  I never met Ed in person, but he always seemed like a friend.  his Facebook page was loaded with comments on his passing.  No-Till Farmer printed a testimonial to Ed as well.  Ed was a true supporter of agriculture and conservation.

Happy Easter

Wishing you a wonderful Easter.  The hope of Easter Morning and the hope of spring uplift us.

Water System

One of the joys of country living is the need to maintain your own water and sewer system.  The well had become clogged with fine sand and lime, so a new well was needed.  The well digger is using hydraulic force to open a hole to drop a well casing into.  It was an interesting day.  Manual labor and plumbing involved.  Neither is a favorite thing to do.  The good news is that the water system was fixed.

Happy Birthday Dad

I went to visit my Dad today for his 86th birthday.  We celebrated with ham sandwiches, coffee, cookies and a shot of rum.  My brother stopped by to extend birthday wishes as well along with a couple of his friends.  He has a John Deere A in his shop that he is working to restore.  He hopes to get it running this winter and get it ready to paint in the spring.  Seems like a big undertaking, but it seemed to put a bit of a spark in his eye.  I am thankful he is still around and healthy. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Among our many blessings this year is the most bountiful harvest ever.  Enjoy your turkey. See you Saturday.

Farmers Serving Their Country

Since War began, I am sure that farmers have served in the military. One of the interesting observations  by Shelby Foote in Ken Burn's Civil War was the at the end of the war, the soldiers from both sides went home to the farm and returned to their lives by shucking corn and plowing fields, and threshing grain. General Sherman pointed out that the returning veterans had face hardship and death itself and that they approached life fearlessly.

I also think that war may have played a big role in shaping modern farming. Many World War II and Korean War veterans returned from war and used their GI benefits for college education of some sort.  Many farm boys got agriculture degrees and returned to the farm becoming a generation of highly educated farmers and agricultural professionals.  These men became leaders in the farming community and shared their knowledge with friends and neighbors.

We should all thank and remember these veterans for their service to their country and their service to agriculture.

Small Town Soccer

Lincolnwood High School Lancers from nearby Raymond represent a small school in our area.  Their soccer team photograph was in the fall sports supplement section of our local.  The background behind their goal was a corn field.  There is something you don't see very often.  I was hoping to find the photo on line, but it was not anywhere I could find it.  I did find this article and two photos from last year.  Be sure and click on the picture to see both photos. 

Happy Father's Day

Today I am Judging Conservation Projects at the 4H fair.  Tomorrow, our Pastor is giving his farewell sermon, so I needed an alternative day to spend with my Dad to celebrate Father's Day.  Friday, I took him a card and a small gift.  He asked me if I had time to help him get the John Deere R home from another farm.  He said the starting motor has water in the crankcase and he wants to repair it.  The R is the first diesel made by John Deere.  It has a small gasoline motor to start it.

We had to pull it to start with the John Deere A below.  Both of these tractors were rescued from the scrap heap by my Dad.  The R had a broken gear in the rear end.  Dad ordered a new one from John Deere and it has been running ever since.  Lately it has been used as a log skidder, but really needs new tires for that kind of work.  The A had a cracked engine block.  It was rescued from the farm that is currently Anne Briar Golf Course near Waterloo, IL.  Dad bought a new block for it and my classmates and I overhauled it when I was a senior in high school.  It is currently used as the snowplow tractor for a tenant in an old farm house. 

Dad celebrated his 85th birthday in December.  You can see that he is still active.  I hope everyone enjoys their time with Dad this weekend as much as I did. 

Dad Driving the John Deere R

John Deere R

John Deere A

Gillespie High School Gym Restored

I am happy to report that Gillespie High School Gymnasium is restored about  a year after being damaged by a tornado.  It looks better than ever.

Gillespie High School Gym 5/31/14

Gillespie High School Gym 6/1/13

American Farm Heritage Museum

I attended a farm auction today at the American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville, IL.  It looks like a fun place to take kids on a summer Saturday.  The auction was interesting as they all are.  If you had never been to a farm land auction you should take one in whether you are buying or not.  It is an interesting experience, and you might even get a free cookie or cup of coffee with your fee admission. 

Guard Dog

Last week when I went to visit a customer I spotted the antique planter below.  When I turned around to take a picture, I notice that it was well guarded. 

Is this Urban Agriculture?

Here is an interesting article I ran across on Twitter about suburban development and agriculture going hand in hand.  The article says this is something of a trend.  Combining a small subdivision and a farm is an interesting concept.  It might be the ultimate in the trend toward locally grown food.  This might be a really good way for organic producers to go.  You would have a ready labor force for the hand weeding.  A farmer could have a built in seasonal labor force and save on that problem by trading labor for produce.

This does not sound like a 60's commune type of lifestyle.  It sounds more like condo living with farming and garden for recreation.  It might be worth a try near the city. 

85 year Old Farmer

I went to visit my Dad today for his 85th birthday.  Dad started farming in 1954 and his first year he harvested 200 bushels of corn total because of drought.  He did not get off to a great start, but he hung on to put 3 boys through college and keep the family farm going through good times and bad until he handed the reins over to my brother around 1980.  Dad continued to help on the farm.  He started to work part time as a tankerman on the river about then too.  Dad remains interested in farming, politics, and current events.  He reads a lot and watches a lot of PBS.  He is also proud to have 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.