Farm~School~Life

Welcome to day 13 of 31 days of Farming and Family.

Today we are visiting another Kansas farm family! Reading this family story reminded me of why I wanted to do this series...each farm family is reaching for the same goal...to produce food for their family and yours but how we get to that goal may look different. You see we are mainly a livestock farm so we rely on folks like the Riders to supply grain for our animals to eat. So let's learn a little more about this family farm!

1. Who are you and where are you located?

We are the Rider family from Ness County KS.

Tyler, Becky, Eve (7), Daphne (4), Asher (2) and Titus (4 months)

2. How did your farm begin?

Tyler's Maternal Great Grandparents started farming in Ness County in 1922. His grandfather expanded the operation. Right now Tyler farms with his father as well as his brother.

3. What does your farm produce?

Right now our farm produces mainly wheat but also have some land in grain sorghum. We also run about 450 feeder cattle.

4. What is the busiest time of year for your farm?

June is the busiest time on our farm, and ironically the same month two of our kids were born. Besides wheat harvest which is the busiest time of year, we are also planting milo and Tyler inspects wheat fields for Kansas Crop Improvement Assoc.

5. How do younger generations help on the farm?

The younger generations have always had a big part in the farm. Tyler and his brother always had the opportunities to help and to learn how to run the farm as they were growing up. Now Tyler and his brother do most of the day to day work.

6. With all there is to do on a farm, are you involved off the farm?

Besides being busy on the farm, we are very active in our Church. We help in the nursury, Children's Church and Tyler helps with the Bible Clubs the kids attend. Tyler serves as Treasurer for the Walnut Creek Extension District, and Treasurer for the Kansas Ag Research Association. Becky serves as woman's chair for the county Farm Bureau, and on the state committee for Membership and Promotions. Becky helps with the local 4H club. and also homeschools the children.

7. What's your favorite activity to do together as a family on the farm?

Harvest time is the most exciting time for us as a family. Its long hours but the kids enjoy helping prepare meals for the field, riding in grain cart with their grandfather, or in the combine with their dad. They will get to do more on the farm as they get older.

8. Why is family important to your farm?

Family has always been a big part of our farm. There have been a few employees but most of the labor has been family, as it is right now. And there is extended family farming next to ours which we having a great relationship and we help each other when needed.

9. What's one thing you want non-farm families to know?

Farmers get their food from the same stores as everyone else, unless they produce some of it themselves. Therefore, they want to produce safe and healthy food by applying nutrients and crop protection products only when and where they are needed.

10. Do you have a blog, a farm Facebook page, twitter, etc where people can find out more about you and your farm?

e each have facebook accounts, but main farm related social media is an occasional tweet from @tyrider65.

Thanks again to the Rider family for sharing their farm story! If you have questions or comments be sure to leave them below or follow the Rider's on Twitter!

Until we meet again may God bless you and keep you!

Caci

Welcome to day 5 of our 31 days.

As I read through the farm stories the one thing that jumps out at me is the passion that each family has for agriculture. They are hardworking, honest folks who are doing their best to put food on their tables and yours. I am amazed at their dedication to this lifestyle.

For me, I find strength in each story. You see being a farm wife isn't always sweet tea & porch swings. Even if you grew up a farm kid, the minute you marry a farmer life changes. The burdens of farm life are now carried on your shoulders. This isn't to say I would have it any other way but knowing that other families are out there, facing the same challenges and overcoming each obstacle brings me a sense of comfort and unity with these families.

Today's family hails from Kansas!

1. Who are you & where are you located?

We are Jeff, Vickie, Lance, Lacey and Nolan Winter. We are located in Andale, KS, which is right outside of Wichita, KS.

2. How did your farm begin?

Jeff and I were both raised on the farm. Jeff's family farm had been passed down from one generation to the next. My father came from a farming background but had acquired ground through word of mouth. He quit farming when I was a teenager because it was just getting to hard for him to do it all by himself. Jeff and I both went to Kansas State University and graduated in December of 2002 with Agricultural degrees. After a one year stint as a crop consultant, he moved back to the farm. I on the hand spent quite a few years in the corporate world. Jeff and I married in 2006. Jeff worked hard on the farm while I balanced city life and farm life. About three years ago I decided that the farming life was where I wanted to spend a majority of my time. Family time and farm life were worth more than the commute. So here we are living our dream!

3. What does your farm produce?
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We are mainly row crop and wheat farmers. Row crops consist of corn, soybeans, and milo (sorghum). We have irrigated (a giant sprinkler system) ground and dry land, which consists of hoping mother nature will give you what you need to produce a good crop. We also have two beef cows, six egg laying chickens, two rabbits, three dogs and one cat.

4. What is the busiest time of year for your farm?
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We are busy from March/April to the end of November. And even the winter months are not too slow as we are servicing equipment, helping neighbors feed cattle, or plowing snow around our little town. There is always something to be done no matter what time of year it is.

5. How do younger generations help on the farm?
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My children help by doing animal chores. They also get the chance to go with their dad. He has them help service equipment or ride in the tractors or combine. They are also wonderful helpers when it is harvest time and we have to run suppers out to all that are helping. It is no small feat feeding six guys who just so happen to be in three different fields. The more helping hands the better!

6. With all there is to do on a farm, are you involved off the farm?

Jeff and I have both been involved off the farm. We have both been on the State Young Farmers and Ranchers committee. Jeff was active on our county Farm Bureau board and we both still help with community activities that they put on. Jeff currently serves on the Equus Beds board and I am currently a room mother for my son's first grade class.

7. What's your favorite activity to do together as a family on the farm?
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Our favorite activity is to ride four wheelers as we go around and check our irrigated fields. It gives us a chance to be outside, get the wind in our hair and spend some quality time together as we get work done.

8. Why is family important to your farm?

Family is important because it is the future of our farm. Our farm couldn't exist if it wasn't for family

9. What's one thing you want non-farm families to know?

That we work long, hard hours to provide our families and yours with the best quality products. If I wouldn't feed it to my family, I won't feed it to yours. And know that we are always open for questions.

10. Do you have a blog, a farm Facebook page, twitter, etc where people can find out more about you and your farm?

Currently we do not. But I am always open to emails, calls, or visits!

A big thank you to the Winter Family for sharing about their farm. If you have a question for them please feel free to leave it in the comments...and if you are ever in Kansas be sure to stop by for a visit...I know I will be!

Until next time...may God bless you & keep you.

Caci

Farming & Family: The Riders

Farming & Family: The Winter's

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