Agriculture is a challenge. But it is also a very rewarding family life.
This is true for Christian and Kathleen Owort, a true agricultural couple who work on 3,600 hectares of corn and soybeans in limestone.
Chris is a third-generation farmer. Darrell and Kim Ort’s son cultivate with his father. His grandfather, Bill, retired six years ago. Grandpa did three things to save enough money to buy the first tractor and start working on the land.
He was, as Chris puts it, “a man of vision.”
When she was a member of Hቸcher Hስተርsterler, Kathleen, the daughter of Jeff and Irwin Karen Morgan, fell in love with farming. In her teens, she showed off her lambs.
Chris and Kathleen were lovers at Harcher High School. He was a junior and she was a high school student. Both were active FFA officers. Kathleen’s classmates voted in the Yearbook, “Herscher is unlikely to leave.” They were right.
“If you are doing what you love, you will not work one day in your life,” echoes that old saying.
It is a joy to see the seed enter the earth. There is satisfaction in the harvest when the leaves turn and the cold weather comes.
He and his wife, married for 11 years, have two sons, Kaison, 7, and a high school student. And Corbin, 3. The males may be the next generation of farm oats. They are already showing pigs at the Kankaki County 4-H show. This was Corbin’s first year, at 3, showing – a skill that requires real attention. The supervisor does not know how old he is. The pig cannot say, “Just be patient.” I’ll be with you in a minute. ”
Kathleen has another big way in the future of agriculture. A graduate of the University of Illinois, she has been a director of a gardening and farming program at Kankaki Community College for the past 10 years.
She works with 20 to 25 students. Kovid says she got the numbers this year. Long-distance teaching also poses some challenges. Agriculture is a handicraft. But she overcame it. Soil test kits ordered for students to use on their own land were mailed.
Her access to information also helps in the field of art. She learned the value of cover crops. Cover crops help prevent soil erosion while building soil fertility. This year, after the oysters are harvested, they will try to cover the crop.
Ocher’s approach is very independent and efficient. Chris does his own repairs, including welding. They also repair equipment for others.
“It’s never too late,” she says.
But relaxation includes a family camp with their sons in Tennessee, where they have some recreational land. Towing a tractor is another family affair. Grandpa Bill has a collection of ancient tractors supporting case models. Chris started towing with a KD tractor. His workshop now has some great tractor trophies, including some amazing handicrafts.
He often took part in local tractor events but traveled as far as Effingham. KCC “Drive the River” During an early summer tractor event, Bill was part of a tractor parade.
Oats say they are lucky to have an “excellent support system” to help. They are also eager to share their love of farming with others. Both are active in the Youth Leadership Program at the Bureau of Agriculture, which organizes the 4-HG Olympics. Other events include nail art, war towing, obstacle course, tire pile and bucket brigade. Reflecting the field, the Olympics are a mixture of effort, cooperation and joy.
Chris serves as treasurer of the Kansas County Agricultural Producers Association. Kathleen is the secretary of the Cancake County Bureau of Agriculture.
Oats still practice without farming. They say sustainability is important, but it is difficult. “We do our best,” he said, reducing the carbon footprint of the farm.
But there is another side to that, says Chris. As the land progresses, there is more farmland every day, but there are more mouths to feed.
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