Heart of a Farmer
If you know much about farming you are likely well-aware of the challenges it holds. The market is ever-changing, weather is beyond control, crop damage is at risk, as well as costly equipment failures. Those that have toiled over the land to cultivate a prosperous farm ultimately hope to pass it on to another family member of the next generation willing to carry on this challenging line of work. This is why the Iowa Farm Bureau recognizes families from across the state with Century and Heritage Awards (100 years and 150+ years) of family-owned land.
This year at the Iowa State Fair the Iowa Farm Bureau presented Lewis Payne from Kalona, IA, with the Heritage Award, celebrating 172 years of family farmland. 261.4 acres of Henry County land was purchased by Lewis’s great great uncle seven years after it was claimed in the Homestead Act. This land became known as the Pickard Farm. Passed down to his great grandfather, grandfather, and then his mother. Lewis eventually purchased the farm from his mother, but not before he had the heart of a farmer instilled in him. Even though his parents had full-time jobs in town, they managed to maintain the farm as well. As a little girl, his mother preferred the outdoor farm life of taking care of the animals and garden over household chores. So it only was natural that at 4 years old Lewis was milking cows, at 6 years he was driving tractors, and by 8 he drove the pickup truck from farm to farm. It worked pretty swell to start disking the field near the road so Lewis could watch for the bus, then let the tractor sit at the end of the line where he could catch the bus, then return back to work when the bus dropped him off after school. Most days, his afterschool chore was bringing in the cattle from pasture and milking them in the barn.
Though he left for college and a career in healthcare and teaching medicine, in 1985 he returned to the farm after his father passed away. Many things have changed over the years; actually most everything. Equipment was quite different in size and cost (in 1985 a combine may cost $10,000, where today it could be $500,000), the seeds are different, the methods used to plant, harvest, care for the soil have all changed in some way. The one thing that remains true even 172 years later is the heart of the farmer. A farmer loves working the soil. Each farmer may have a different way to get the job done, but his decisions are made with intent and care. “My goal is to leave the land in better condition than when I started,” says Lewis.
Now it is true, some farmers get profit focused, but a conscientious farmer is focused on conservation and preservation for the next generation. Here in Kalona we are grateful that Lewis is not alone with his love for the land. We have a farming community that works together, continues to learn, and has the future generations in mind.
It is no doubt that farming is hard, but it is also rewarding. Farming isn’t merely growing crops and livestock, it also grows the heart and mind, it brings appreciation of life in all its shapes.
Congratulations to Lewis Payne, his family, and his ancestors for their many years of hard work.
As encouragement to each of our farmers out there today - keep going, farm strong.
