I loved growing up on a farm. When I was young, we had chickens, pigs, cattle and corn, soybeans, and oats. I would follow my Grandfather all over the farm. My Grandfather found a tiny gray and white kitten in the field one day. She was beautifully marked, and we named her Flossie. She was an excellent mouser and had many lovely kittens over the years. I would watch my Grandfather do his daily chores and ask him about what he was doing. My Grandfather died when I was about eight years old. I missed him and my Grandmother very much.
Watching And Learning
I started to follow my Father around the farm after my Grandfather died. I would watch him and the neighbor makes many repairs to farm machinery, lawnmowers, etc. My Mother worked in town as a Young Adult Librarian during the day. While she was working, I spent time with my Father. I would gather the eggs from the chicken house. As I grew older, I would put oats in the oat seeder for my Father. My Mother would run the baler with our 560 tractors, and my Dad and I would stack the bales.
My Farm Pets
My cats and our dog would follow me all over the farm. I had a swing set, and one of my cats would lie nearby while I was swinging back and forth. My cats would always wait with me in the morning for my school bus to pick me up. We had an old heated milk house that I waited in for the bus in the winter months.
Raising Runt Piglets
I helped raise two runt little piglets, Ann and Jerry. Ann was a Hampshire, and Jerry was a red Duroc. I ensured they were fed, watered, and tended to their needs. They increased, then went to the market, and the money they sold went into a savings account for me.
Helping Out With Things On The Farm
I have always loved to walk around on the farm. When I was about 11, our pigs broke out of their yard. I noticed them and got them back where they belonged after fixing the broken fence board. I could not find a longboard, so I spliced two panels together by nailing them from both ways and bending the nails over. My Father never did replace the board that I fixed. The pigs never escaped again.
Working With Farm Equipment
I would empty the wagons as a teenager and watch the corn dryer to ensure it did not overheat. I also combined 80 acres of corn on a farm my Father rented. I loved running the combine and watching the hopper fill up with grain. I would auger the corn from the combine into my Father’s grain truck.
I Am Very Blessed To Have Been Born On A Family Farm
I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up on a family farm with loving parents and Grandparents. I still love the farm dearly and always try to make sure everything looks good as an honor to my parents and Grandparents. God Bless all of the farmers and all of those who help them.
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