Wheat Harvest, 2013....

I have lived in Kansas all of my life. If you're not a native Kansan, you may or may not know that Kansas is a very large wheat producer in the USA -- as well as other important crops. Admittedly, growing up, I spent very little time paying attention to the wonderful wheat harvest in our state. I did not grow up in a farming type community (to my knowledge -- nobody in my high school class farmed). I had pretty much ZERO interest in farming, though I did realize that if farmers didn't exist, we'd be in a world of hurt, food wise. As a kid, I did "help" with a few summers of wheat harvest -- at my great aunt's & uncle's farm....and when I say "help," we probably went out there a handful of times growing up. I'm talking about one day every few years. I somewhat remember helping my great-aunt take food out to the fields. And, I somewhat remember riding in the grain truck with my great aunt. Obviously, this vague memory of mine did not shape who I am today. My dad actually was on a custom cutting crew in the late 60s/early 70s (before he was married). Honestly, I don't remember him talking about it very much -- maybe a few conversations here and there. After Marc & I were married and "settled" in Newton, KS -- well, we were around a few farmers. We have surrounded ourselves around quite a few people who know A LOT more about farming and such. And, I love that I have had the opportunity to learn a bit. With that in mind, I TRULY want our kids to learn MUCH MORE about farming and agriculture than I ever learned or cared to learn. Sometimes, it takes some simple growing up AND having one's own kids (and figuring out what important things you would at least like to teach them) to realize what all there is in this world with which to be grateful -- in this case, farming and farmers. With that in mind, right now, wheat harvest in our glorious state is happening. For the last two days, after Kate's afternoon nap, I've been very intentional about taking our kids out to a field or two to watch some wheat harvest. What I've done is simple -- I've packed them up in the car and driven out into the country. I've driven until I've found a field where they're harvesting. I've then pulled the car over, and we've all gotten out and watched! On Monday, it took a little bit to find a field where they were cutting (I was later told I should have gone a different way than I did -- I'd have found more -- but, oh well)....

This first stop involved a SUPER nice grain truck driver walking across the street to see what we were doing. I simply explained to him that we were not farmers at all, but I wanted to show my kids (mainly Luke right now) all about wheat harvest. He seemed very pleased, and he offered Luke a chance to climb up on the grain truck to see bushels of wheat in the truck. At first, Luke hesitated, but I think it boiled down to the fact he didn't know what the farmer was talking about. SO, we all walked over there, and once Luke figured it out, he had ZERO issues with climbing up to look! I LOVED the fact that this farmer took time for us. (The combine was still out cutting at this point)....

After our little "tour," the kids & I (at least Luke & I; Kate was busy trying to play with things in the back of my car) continued to watch everything in the field for a bit....I worked HARD at getting Luke & Kate to both look at the camera for a cute brother/sister pic, but that didn't happen. Kate was NOT interested at all in my camera. So, here are some out-takes.

Finally, I told Luke, "Just you pose for me." And, he gladly did! Go Luke!

After watching for just a bit more, the farmer walked over and handed Luke some "souvenir" wheat from the field....which Luke thought was pretty neat!

Tuesday was a different story. It had to be one of the WINDIEST days I've been out in for a long time. Goodness, it was WINDY! Farmers have definitely earned my respect because I know they work in ALL kinds of weather conditions. BUT, the awesome thing was that I drove a different way out of town, and fortunately, I found a field RIGHT on the edge of town where wheat cutting was happening!

We didn't talk with any of the busy farmers this time, but we braved the wind and stayed out for quite awhile....Kate was getting into EVERYTHING in the back of my car. I finally put her in the stroller, praying that she didn't blow away. Luke posed cute for me!

Then, I took this pic of Luke, watching the combines in the field. I personally think, with a little editing, it belongs on a Kansas calendar or something -- Ha! (Photography is not a great skill I have....so, when I get a decent pic, I am excited)!

When driving back into town, we actually made another stop near the grain elevators to see ALL of the grain trucks bringing in their wheat.

Here in our little town, the grain elevators are located right next to a park which has an old steam engine. The steam engine BY FAR trumped Luke's interest (as compared to grain trucks). So, I was unable to keep his attention very long on the grain trucks. But, that's for another post!

I would say I was successful in at least starting to plant a knowledge of Kansas wheat harvest in Luke's little mind! We'll have to probably work a bit harder on Kate someday since she likely (but you never know) will not have quite the interest in machinery as Luke. BUT, I want to end this post by saying that, as I have gotten older, I have become SO VERY grateful for the farming and the farmers in this state (and elsewhere). Farmers do so much for us -- so much of it unnoticed! Farming can be quite dangerous, and it takes a lot of hours. And, by simply watching wheat harvest for a couple of hours, I grew even more grateful! I pray my kids don't take farming or farmers for granted, and I pray they become ever so grateful for farming/farmers!