The flags can attest to the strong winds as we entered. As it was, this was calm compared to what we endured later in the day.

The plan on Friday was for Jim and The Yellow Beast to get back to picking corn AFTER the trip to Husker Harvest Days on Wednesday. That plan was spoiled by the hot temps that made their way back into the region. It was 96 degrees on Tuesday. I tried to justify to him why it would be ok for his taking Wednesday off to make the  trip to Grand Island. “It’s still so early in the fall”. “What? Is it going to start raining now?” “It’s not like the weather’s going to drastically change”. However, because of his strong work ethic all my attempts were met with a strong NO!  I wanted to go. Mark, Candi and Jenna were still planning on the trip, so I decided what the heck?! (One more day to pretend like I have nothing better to do.)

What is Husker Harvest Days?  It is advertised as the “World’s Largest Totally Irrigated Working Farm Show” and this year marked their 35^th year anniversary. Ag manufacturers and support equipment gather together in a large area outside of Grand Island to show their wares to the farming community. The favorite part of the show is the working demonstrations they provide to the public. Each major manufacturer has a piece (or more) of equipment that will get to perform in front of the attendees to prove their worth. It’s a pretty big deal for Grand Island and the state of  Nebraska!

It was FFA day at HHD.  Good to see our next generation of farmers and Ag nerds enjoying themselves!

Most years, we aren’t able to attend because we’re usually either still in the wheat field or in the process of making the trips home. So, if we have the opportunity to go, we take it because it may not happen again next year. When this show first began, I remember my grandpa and dad making every effort to go. I think I may have gone with them one year but it must not have left much of an impression because I remember nothing about it. I have become quite the Ag nerd since then and thoroughly enjoy going to HHD. I think the reason I enjoy it the very most is just hanging around the people whom I can now relate to.

The farming/ranching industries are like none other! You will never meet people who are more “down to earth”, committed, and so full of hope as a farmer or a rancher. They do what they do because it’s what they love. They love getting dirty. They love watching their crops grow from planting to harvest. They love their livestock. It’s in their blood, much like the harvest is for the custom harvester. It’s what they know. It’s their heritage. It’s more than a job to them and their passion for what they care about is on their face and in their voice. Don’t believe this statement? Stand around a group of them and just listen to what they’re talking about. One of the stories I heard broke my heart. I overheard two farmers (probably in their mid 60’s) talking about why one of them had recently left the farm – the one that had been in his family forever. It went sort of like this:

Farmer A: “I heard you’ve quit farming”

Farmer B: “Yep, I was small enough that the farm wasn’t supporting itself anymore. I didn’t want to get any larger and felt this was the best thing to do.”

Where does Farmer B go from here? I’m sure he’s probably had the sale and found a “real” job since the decision was made. It made me think about all he had to struggle through mentally before making the decision to sell. Thinking about what that land had been to prior generations. Thinking about how hard he had worked up to that point. Thinking about his family. Wondering how he was going to change gears this late in life. How horrible it must have been to realize that what you’ve worked so hard for was now gone. This made me think about the people who speak out negatively about the larger farms. They’re large because they HAVE to be! Unfortunately, the days of the smaller farms being able to remain productive in the feeding of our nation may be a thing of the past. More people mean more food which means producing food more efficiently on the same amount of acres.

I really liked this because of their slogan, “it all begins with ag”. So very true!

I sort of got off on a whole different subject. Let’s get back to Husker Harvest Days.

It’s fun for me to go because I always run into people I know and sometimes haven’t seen in quite some time.  I know Jenna and Candi were getting tired of my stopping and chatting because they would just have to stand there and wait for me. (Sorry guys) I ran into my dad’s cousin, Doug, and his wife, Karen. I haven’t seen them in forever! Doug and Jim went on harvest with my grandpa and grandma in 1975. They became pretty good buddies. Those two tortured me to no end! I was just a kid and the only girl so I know it was all in fun but some of the ornery things they did and said can still be pulled from the remote corners of my memory bank. We had fun and regardless of how horrible they were to me, I loved it and still love ‘em – both of ‘em!  Even though the years have aged all of us, I still look at Doug and see that 19 year old kid I knew so long ago! They live near Esbon, KS – not that far away. We really need to make an effort to get down there for a visit!

Jenna ran into her best friend, Rachel, who was working in one of the booths.

The weather wreaked havoc with everyone…the vendors and the attendees. The temperature was much cooler (which was a blessing) but the wind was HORRIBLE. When we arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m., the wind was blowing hard enough that I had to go back to the pickup to take out my contacts and put my glasses on. It continued to worsen as the day got longer. We literally endured a dirt blizzard while walking through the show. The worst part of the blizzard began about 1:30. Exhibits were beginning to tear, fall over, break, etc. I would guess the wind was blowing at least 50 mph by then. Dirt was blowing in and through everything! At one point, it was hard to even see the machinery in the field. I had dirt in my eyes, ears and nose. People’s faces reminded me of  those pictures you see of the dirty 30’s – black with dirt. I really wanted to take pictures of some but figured they may not appreciate it. If you had glasses on and took them off, the outline of the frames were visible on your face. I felt sorry for the little kiddos! About the time we decided we’d had enough, the show announced they were closing – two hours earlier than normal – due to the weather and safety of everyone there.

TRYING to keep the dirt from blowing.

Jenna taking the opportunity to wipe the dirt off her face before heading back out in the blizzard.

The Case IH booth was having a rather serious issue!

The wig on this mannequin must have been glued down! Jim thought it would have been fun to have had a video of her while she sat there looking into the wind and dirt. 🙂

Headed out of HHD – the flags have been removed!

The best outcome of the day…rain! Mark commented the rain we were driving through was more than they’d seen all summer. I dumped 1.90” from the rain gauge the next day. However, according to someone on the south edge of town, we had over 2”. A tree or weed may have hindered the water from getting in my gauge. Regardless, it was a very welcome sight and a perfect way to end a fairly crazy weather day!