Harvest is a special time for farmers in Illinois. It is a time to reap the rewards of their hard work and to celebrate the bounty of the land. But harvest is also a time for reflection, as farmers look back on the year's challenges and triumphs.
five Illinois farmers share their fondest harvest memories:
Randy DeSutter's best harvest memory happened one night on Halloween. He had just gotten home from picking corn when there was a knock on his door. It was not your usual trick or treaters, but his friend, Tom, with four girls dressed in costumes. Since he didn't have any candy, he invited them in for a drink. The one dressed as a scarecrow, Suzie, made quite an impression. Not only was Suzie cute, but she left real straw from her costume all over his house.
Later, when Randy asked Suzie out, she said she was really busy as she worked two jobs and wasn't sure of her schedule. Randy replied, "You surely are free Thanksgiving night." She was, and so they went to see the Indiana Jones movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" that night.
Not many people have their future wife show up on their doorstep! Randy and Suzie have now been married 36 years and have two children and three grandchildren.
Julie Bickelhaupt had one unforgettable day during harvest. Her combine took an unexpected plunge, burying its front end deep into a coyote den. The sight was both comical and perplexing, a stark reminder of the unexpected challenges that farming life can bring. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and it took a broken chain and a four-wheel tractor to get the combine out.
Kent Kleinschmidt had a surprise of his own during harvest one year. He got to the end of the field and got out to check on some corn that was stuck on the corn head snout. When he checked out the combine, he was surprised to see there were antlers from a buck that somehow landed directly forward. Kent and his son laughed about it, and the antlers are still saved in their garage!
Lou Lamoreux had a creative way to deal with gophers that were getting into his bean fields. He planted pumpkins and gourds in the bare spots to cover the ground and keep the weeds from coming in. The pumpkins and gourds were a hit with his grandkids and the community, and Lou gave them away to everyone who wanted them. Lou did this for five years, and it became a popular fall tradition in his community.
Megan Dwyer has a unique perspective on harvest, as she is married to a farmer and is also the mother of four children. She says that they ignored the advice that you should never plan a fall wedding if you're marrying a farmer. They doubled down on this advice by also having two of their four children as fall babies!
Megan says that while there is never an ideal time for a new baby, each one is a blessing. She loves seeing her children excited about harvest starting and spending time with their father in the cab of the combine. She also knows that these nights usually involve a lot more chips and snacks than usual!
These are just a few examples of the many harvest memories that Illinois farmers hold dear. Harvest is a time of hard work, but it is also a time of celebration and gratitude for the fruits of the land.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-creischl
Categories: Illinois, Harvesting