Farming

 It is not easy to be happy about agriculture today.  For my neighbors, their soybean market has been given away by rancid domestic politics.  They await something of a gift from the government, something they really do not want, but can hardly turn down, given the circumstance.  Farm debt is up.  Fuel prices are skyrocketing due to Israel's and our war against Iran.  Fertilizer prices will soon head for the moon due to shipping difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz.  

Our state has been attacked by the authoritarians.  Minneapolis fought hard and valiantly against ICE, trying to protect terrified inhabitants using no weapons, but the damage caused there, as well as in the rural areas will cost the state millions over the coming years.

Last year like 2024 was very wet for the first part of the summer, and then dry.  In 2024 we lost our corn crop, most of the year"s pig feed, that had to be replaced out of the checkbook.  This year we lost the winter rye feed grain crop.  Much of the farm was flooded for much of the summer.  The fence chargers would not hold the cattle.

 And the worst result of all this is that it has become a battle to maintain a sense of caring for the community.  This we cannot do without.  This we must have.  We cannot let government be the cause of estrangement between us and our neighbors.

 Our truck will once again make its regular deliveries.  We will continue to work on our "farm to school" project.  We will continue sales from our farm shop and to rural outlets we have worked to put together.  We will continue.  Despair is not an option.

We know that many others are affected as are we.  We know it is going to be difficult for some to pay the slightly higher cost of some of our products.  We understand this and hold no grievance about it.

Farmers understand that there are times when it is critical to keep moving and to try to make things come out even against tall odds.  Farmers often face an uphill battle, with weather and bad markets.  But farms, especially livestock farms, teach that quitting is not an option.  The sun will rise tomorrow and the animals will need feed and our care and attention.

The best way, maybe the only way, through a disaster is to keep going, keep putting one foot ahead of the other.  

We appreciate all of you, our customers.  If you must back away for a time we understand that.  Know that you will always be welcomed back.

Take care

Our best to you:      Jim, LeeAnn, Josh and Cindy and all our families.