This time of year, the sights and sounds become all too familiar. The roar of the diesel engines, the humming of a grain dryer and the pouring sound of grain filling a bin. The heartland is bright, beaming with illuminated lights. Harvest is in full swing here in East Moline, Ill., as we combine corn and soybeans, bale hay, make stock bales and run a 600 Jersey-cow dairy.
Days and nights often intertwine. This time of year, days are inching shorter and shorter, while the to-do list seems to be growing longer. Farmers praying knees certainly don’t grow lazy, as they bow their heads, hoping for no breakdowns and a bountiful crop.
Statistically, the number of dairy farms is shrinking, but the values taught on a farm are immeasurable. Dairy farmers are part of a ‘2% club’ that rolls up their sleeves, works hard and helps put food on the global table. The lessons learned propel farm kids far in life and carry over to every aspect of their lives.
One example can be seen by taking a left out of our farm, drive four miles southeast and you’ll drive up to another field that is lit up. The neon lights are bright and the sound is far rowdier than the sounds outside my farmhouse window. The scene there is fourth and one and the opposing team is ‘going for it.’ The United Township Panthers have different plans than allowing another first down. Look closely, you’ll see #45 get antsy and inch closer to the ‘D-line’ and once the ball is snapped, he breaks away to pressure the quarterback. It then becomes home team ball.
The feeling is electric up in the stands. I cannot imagine how fast #45’s heart must be pumping down on the turf. The players and coaches slap his helmet, as a sign of praise.
Undoubtedly, Friday night lights require hard work, commitment and faith. For farm kids, like #45, my 17-year-old son, Tyler, the discipline didn’t start in a weight room or on a football field. It started on the family farm. Farm kids learn to rise early and work late. They learn to milk cows, feed calves, plow fields and work as a team. They learn how to handle fourth and one scenarios when the odds are against them.
This Friday night, the sounds are a bit quieter at Bohnert farm. The combine’s lights are shut off. The semi-trucks are parked. The dairy farmer quits early, even though harvest is not done. Three generations leave the farm to watch the starting linebacker, #45 play his last high school football game.
Despite what the scoreboard says, and just how many tackles and big plays #45 made this year – as impressive as it is – the pride in the hearts of his parents is indescribable. Working underneath the bright lights both on and off the field will indeed launch this farm kid far in life.
