Ole Pappy

Sitting on the edge of disaster

I’ve often told people the land around us has the blackest dirt and is the best soil for growing crops anywhere in the world. This is “prime” growing area and it’s now the season to plant those crops, watch it grow all summer, then sit back and watch the harvest.

Yes, it’s that season. But it’s not likely to happen that way. The sporadic rains have kept most farmers out of their fields. And now, with heavy hearts, I hear them say its very unlikely there will be crops in the fields this year.

I can’t imagine driving through Southwestern Minnesota this summer and seeing field after field without crops growing. Oh, some are going to try it — but even they say the yields will be way down and that planting now is a mine field filled with disaster. But this is far more of a disaster than anyone can imagine.

Some feel farmers will still be compensated, at least in part. But with the wasted seed and fertilizer and other costs, I can’t imagine a happy scenario.

Then there’s the fact there will be less product, less money changing hands and abundant shortages. If we think this problem doesn’t affect us because we are not farmers — think again! Anytime the farm community suffers, main street suffers as well.

There is less money to go around and people will make sacrifices. And that affects main street.

This is “Farm Country U. S. A.” We live by the plow and die by the plow. Personally, I keep praying for some kind of miracle, like heavy doses of sunshine and winds to dry things out. I’ve talked with several farmers about this problem and all of them say it has all the makings of a disaster.

Some areas are being hit with tornadoes and other storm problems. Our disaster is too much rain. It seems to be all we’ve got left is prayer. It’s time to do what we can — and that seems like the only answer! We feel for each and every farmer because they’ve got tough decisions to make. Yes, this is farm country — and we appreciate our farmers so very much. Let’s pray we get an answer before it’s too late.

LAUGH A LITTLE: The little tyke! The average age of people living in our military retirement community is 85. Recently, a neighbor turned 100, and a big birthday party was thrown. Even his son turned up. “How old are you?” a tenant asked. “I’m 81 years old,” the son answered. The tenant shook her head. “They sure grow up fast, don’t they?”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Follow your heart, no matter what other people say. After all, at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with your decisions.” Good advice. Ole Pappy also taught me, if I had a positive attitude there will always be one person that believes in me — and that was me. But there were two, because he always believed in me, too! Thanks Ole Pappy!

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The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492