Steph: Visiting hours

Apache, Oklahoma – One of my (many) favorite aspects of this blog is the ability to promote the agriculture industry that has made me who I am today. I’m definitely that person who will hear a nearby conversation going on about GMOs or hormones in beef and interrupt with an, “Excuse me but, did you know…” Those of us who love this industry will agree that it is our duty to spread the word and spread knowledge for everyone to hear. That’s the thing about a passion; it doesn’t feel like work.

The Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children brought three young men out to our field the other day to get a first-hand harvest experience. They loved it! These boys all came from different backgrounds but all found something they enjoyed about the harvester’s life. They were telling me how cool they thought my job was, how cool my LIFE was, and one even admitted he now wanted to be a harvester when he grew up. That right there deserves a moment of silence, because instilling that feeling in any youth is something to commemorate.

Did you know this organization is completely non-profit? They run off donations and provide homes to kids who can’t live with their families for various reasons. This year, a member of the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children (and also the fellow who brought the young men out to the field) came up with a unique way to be able to contribute to the organization. Mike shared with me that last year, a farmer and he were discussing his organization; and the farmer made a comment, “Well, I don’t have cash, but I have grain in that bin you can have!” Not only did he allow the organization to sell a load of wheat in their name, it sparked the 10-Acre Challenge, which is exactly as it sounds. They’re calling ag folks out there to donate 10 acres of your crop to the organization and spread the word.

It was such a pleasure to be able to show the next generation where their food comes from and the “village” it takes to get it to the table. Not to mention — these young men were hilarious! The wheat stats they saw were 56 pounds and around 20 bushels per acre.

Quote(s) of the Day – “Oh, trucker talk.”
“And now we know why girls rule the world.”
“Hey, they’re wearing gas masks!”
(referring to the elevator workers)

Stuff Harvesters Do – Fall asleep at the fuel pumps after a long night of wheat cutting and when you inside to pay 3-hours later, the lady working the counter just say, “well, I thought I’d let you sleep!”


 

Chit-chatting with Farmer Milton.

Chit-chatting with Farmer Milton.

Today on Anderson Harvesting, we use a Cheez-It box for a sampe.

Today on Anderson Harvesting, we use a Cheez-It box for a sample.

If this mural goes missing, it was me.

If this mural goes missing, it was me.

I love the old buildings in downtown Apache.

I love the old buildings in downtown Apache.

Back in the field!

Back in the field!

Blue getting loaded up.

Blue getting loaded up.

View from the hopper.

View from the hopper.

The boys were such good listeners.

The boys were such good listeners.

These boys were so much fun to have at the field and they were FULL of questions! From left to right; ANthony, Gunner, Steph and Brayden.

These boys were so much fun to have at the field and they were FULL of questions! From left to right; Anthony, Gunner, Steph and Brayden.

Climbing around the truck.

Climbing around the truck.

Untitled

Check it out!

Checking out the grain quality.

Checking out the grain quality.

They were so excited to play in the wheat! Reminded me of being a kid out in a wheat field myself -- many hours spent out here!

They were so excited to play in the wheat! Reminded me of being a kid out in a wheat field myself — many hours spent out here!

As we were coming up to the steps for Brayden to climb up the ladder, he turns to me and says, "this was so worth the trip."

As we were coming up to the steps for Brayden to climb up the ladder, he turns to me and says, “this was so worth the trip.”

Seth! Local friend of ours from town. Henry can be found in the background.

Seth! Local friend of ours from town. Henry can be found in the background.

Monkeyin' around.

Monkeyin’ around.

Night shift.

Night shift.

The elevator in Apache.

The elevator in Apache.

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