Farming and Family Ties

As I photographed the Iowa harvest this fall, it struck me how family remains a big part of Iowa agriculture. Some would have you believe that today’s agriculture is a corporate affair, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

It seems whenever I meet a farmer, it doesn’t take long before there’s a reference to a family member. It’s usually something like “Well, I farm with my dad and my two brothers.” Then the discussion usually leads to connections to grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and in-laws. For many farmers it would be difficult to make a go of it without the support of a family member.

Randy Dreher of Audubon, is thankful to his grandfather, who bequeathed him a about a 30-year-old combine, which runs great according to Randy, and some other equipment which for now allows him to invest in other areas of the business. Randy is also fortunate to share a harvest dinner break with his wife, Crystal, and two-year-old daughter, Katelyn.

Mark and Stacy Boender have five delightful children in their family. The Boender’s farm near Oskaloosa is not far from his dad’s place, Steve and Janet Boender, which is not far from his brother Mike’s place, which is not far from his brother Kurt’s place, which is not far from his brother Karl’s place, which is not far from his brother B.J.’s place. Mark joins his brothers as fourth generation farmers.

Steve Boender had most of the family together this week during harvest and hosted a Belgium TV crew doing a documentary in the Midwest. “We’ve never been filmed before in our lives,” said Steve, “and recently we’ve had a couple of film crews and foreign visitors stop by.”

Another family I met with strong working ties is the Jason and Amy Boyer family, owners of the Harvest Barn Marketplace east of Osceola. All three of the Boyer children are involved in the seasonal business.

Cousins Brian and Doug Sampson also work together farming near Roland. The two sort of watch each other’s back, giving them some free time to spend with their own families.

It’s been a difficult year for most Iowa farmers because of the drought. But the being together as a family at harvest helps to make it all worthwhile. Isn’t that what makes Iowa…Iowa?

Written by Gary Fandel
Gary is the photographer for Iowa Farm Bureau.

Raise a glass – or a spoon – to dairy farmers

While enjoying a dish of ice cream in celebration of June Dairy Month with my fiancé the other night, I couldn’t help but think of the dairy farmers who play a role in producing fresh products that go into the cool, creamy treat.

It reminded me of the two young couples I met in northeast Iowa a few weeks ago while on assignment for the Spokesman.

There’s no getting around it, dairy farming is hard work that never ends. The cows, of course, don’t take off weekends or holidays. But I quickly discovered that these young couples were more than up to the challenge of providing wholesome and locally-sourced milk and other dairy products for Iowa and the Midwest.

The first couple was Nick and Jessie Westhoff of Guttenberg. They gave up their off-farm jobs and dedicated their lives to dairying.

That meant early mornings and long days. They milk their 68 Holsteins two times per day-at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The 26-year-old producers have won awards for milk quality, and take the job of providing wholesome milk seriously. “If you can get a good job in town and have your weekends off, I don’t blame people for not doing it (dairying). But somebody needs to,” Jessie said.

The second couple was Klark and Brittney Telleen of Monticello. This couple, also in their 20s, milk nearly 200 cows three times daily with his parents and three other individuals. Like the Westhoffs, the Telleens don’t complain about their shifts and say it’s their job to produce a fresh, quality product for consumers.

“We take a lot of pride in what we do and we’re excited to be milking cows, feeding cattle, and providing consumers with quality product,” Klark said.

So whichever way you celebrate June Dairy Month—by eating cheese, enjoying a thick milkshake, or enjoying yogurt-think of the Westhoffs, the Telleens and other dairy farmers throughout Iowa who play a role in providing a safe, nutritional product not just during the month of June, but every day of the year.

Written by Bethany Pint
Bethany is an Ag Commodities Writer for Iowa Farm Bureau.