A farmer died in the area a couple of days ago doing what he had

[Skidmore]

done every spring of his life as a farmer--burning brush. The fire got away from him and he was caught up in it. He was 82 years old, a quiet, hardworking man who was well loved in his community. He was not a corporate farmer but one of that dying breed of family farmers, raising crops and engaging in animal husbandry to support his family. He had a second job as a plumber with a local business to supplement his income, as do most small farm owners.

I tell you about him to honor the man and his way of life. We have many like him here in this state. You see them in their overalls and plaid flannel shirts and work boots, always with a hat to shield the eyes from the sun. Tanned, leathery skin with calloused hands and faces creased with deep wrinkles. Men of few words beyond a "howdy" and questions about the welfare of family members and friends. You see them at the local cafe in the early morning around a table talking shop over breakfast before heading out for the day's labors. You follow them at snail pace on the roadways as they drive their tractors to the fields. A forgotten breed. Born before or during the Great Depression. Forgotten elders of the agricultural belt, until they are caught up in the fire.

[SoCalDem]

1. There was one just outside Topeka Kansas

who waited until I came along to pull his COMBINE out on the hilly windy two lane highway.. I was never brave enough to pass him so I ended up driving the last miles back to college at a breakneck speed of 10 mph:)

I was too cheap to pay the 50cent toll from Topeka, so I always took the "old road"

[Vinca]

2. That's such a sad story. We're losing so much in this country and

I imagine much of it was what the farmer worked his entire life for. I despise the factory farms that are taking the farms and farmers away. And often sickening us to boot.

[mattvermont]

3. where in Iowa?

link to story? Would love to hear more

[Skidmore]

5. Near Urbana in Vinton County.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Vinton-Man-Killed-in-Grass-Fire-Near-Urbana-118876099.html

[liberal N proud]

4. Small town midwest

There is a little bit of that in me, growing up in Iowa, I can recall all the old guys sitting in the cafe every morning. You go in, all you hear is the slurp of coffee, clatter of some dishes and a good morning to anyone who walked through the door.

My father is now one of those "old guys" in the cafe, I have sat there with him when I go back to Iowa to visit him.

[Skidmore]

6. I'm smiling and nodding.

Talk doesn't commence until the serious business of eating ends.

[mattvermont]

12. central Iowan here

well, I was. Not sure I can go back until Brain dead is no longer governor....again

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. I grew up in a county full of old farmers like this.

My dad was a bit of one after he retired from over the road trucking. Sweet old men. However, if you sit in the coffee shop in the morning and listen to their bullshitting, you won't think they're so precious anymore...

[dgibby]

8. I'm the first generation in my family not raised on a farm.

Both maternal and paternal grandparents were farmers, and my uncle owned a small dairy farm in Pa, near Lake Erie. I used to love to visit there, and very much envied my cousins, but it was a hard life, and the work day never ended.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Nicely stated. Loved the small cafes in Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio because of the farmers. My dad was

one.

[xchrom]

10. around peoria -- it wasn't unusual for family farmers

to also work at caterpillar.

[blm]

11. (( ))

.