12 Aug Laura: Highlighting Memories of Harvest

Posted at 12:00h in 2022, harvest, High Plains Harvesting, High Plains Journal, Montana, Sponsors, stories, wheat, winter wheat by
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Montana: I am so incredibly thankful that High Plains Journal has afforded me this platform to share High Plains Harvesting‘s version of the story of harvest. Showing the world agriculture through words, photographs and videos is one my of absolute favorite things. However, you and I know that there are so many other people too that have, are, or will make amazing contributions to this important industry.

There are so many amazing individuals and teams, at all levels and positions within the the harvest industry. In the past, I have shared some stories about other crews or harvest support professionals in the industry. I had intentions of continuing those articles this year, but between logistics and my responsibilities in life, I was initially disappointed that my vision had to take another turn. I turned to plan B, which is what we harvesters do on a regular basis, and put a call out on my social media platform, Under the Flyover Sky, and by word of mouth. Because I couldn’t make it around this season for individual interviews, I asked for women to share their favorite memories of harvest. To be clear, fellas, no hard feelings because your memories are great too. I just had to narrow down the pool a little bit for this project.

I think it was meant to be that plan A didn’t work, because I just love all the photos and quotes that came in. Thank you to everyone that contributed. It also allowed me the opportunity to showcase many more people than I could have with the other method. I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I did. You may even need a tissue or two.

I’ll kick this off with a face that is very familiar to the All Aboard family. Tracy Zeorian and her daughters were a household name on the blog for about a decade before they retired as All Aboard Wheat Harvest bloggers a couple years ago. Tracy is still going strong on the harvest trail and continues with harvest advocacy and storytelling. Find her quote and those of others below.

“Someone once told me I gave my kids too much responsibility during the summer harvest. My response was, ‘What better way to learn life lessons than to experience life lessons.’ Harvest builds strong work ethic.”—Tracy Zeorian, Zeorian Harvesting

“Oh, I have a million hours in a combine cab, but last summer in Limon might’ve been my last for a while, and I miss it desperately. Terrible photo but precious to me—we went several rounds with my brother after the whole family went to a Rockies game last summer during a rain delay, and he left early to go back to work.”—Karen “Heil” Nelson, Heil Harvesting LLC

“Forty-three years on the harvest cannot be summed up in one picture—but a picture is worth a million words. Our kids presented us with a quilt of various ‘harvest run’ t-shirts they salvaged over all those years. Myron and I both agree we wouldn’t trade a minute of those years. They brought us where we are today. We look back often and are grateful.”—Nancy Eberts, Eberts Harvesting

“My favorite thing each year is sitting back and watching in awe of what our kids have learned and are capable of at such young ages.”—Megan Klinnert, Klinnert Harvesting

“I have so many! I feel the most at home in a combine cab, with my dad’s voice over the two-way, and mom on her way to the field with supper.”—Karly Frederick, Frederick Harvesting

“One of my favorite things about our harvest business is the amazing people we have met along the way!”—Kylee DeBock, DeBock Harvesting

“Backroads and wheat fields and all the in between are some of the fondest memories I have. I hope my children cherish them for a lifetime.”—Brittany Van Driesten, Van Driesten Harvesting
“One of my favorite harvest memories was having all four kids loaded up in the van—aka food wagon—headed to the field for lunch or dinner. The kids were always so excited to see their dad and grandpa and to get a ride on the combine or on the truck to the elevator.”—Marieta Hauser
“I’ve been on our farm for 55-plus harvests and one of my favorites was watching my dad and my son cut wheat together before my dad passed away in 2019.”—Pam (Sherer) Rhodes, Rhodes Farms, Mullinville, Kansas.
“Family first, always!”—Casey Graham, Open A Lazy E Land & Cattle Harvesting
“The anticipation of each new season beginning. Going to familiar areas. The joy of catching up with harvest friends, and knowing we’re showing our son the value of hard work.”—Amanda Buus Thomsen, BT Harvestings

“Everyone (even kids/spouses/families) has role, and each role is important. The role may change through the seasons of life, but it takes everyone doing their part to make harvest happen.”—Janna Splitter, Splitter Farms

“The combine seat is my happy seat! Family time in a little cab.”—Karlie Neumiller, Neumiller Harvesting

“The excitement that comes with each new season—new adventures await each year, and there lies my family’s favorite memories.”—Amber Dietrick, Panhandle Harvesting, LLC


“‘No place I’d rather be than harvesting a field next to you.’ The photo is Robin and Zach Rush, father and son—38 years and 15 years on wheat harvest.”—Dee Rush, Rush Farms & Harvesting

“There’s always a moment of thanks and praise when the last load of the day comes in.”—Amy Krance-Wendt, Wendt Farms
“Blue skies, red combines and Kansas wheat … The combination will always make my heart skip a beat!”—Jacqueline Leffler
“Wheat harvest has been my favorite since I was a little girl! I was able to spend time with my grandpa, Dad, and now get to be involved with another family’s operation too. It is a marathon adventure, but one that rewards hard work and integrity.”—Zoe Schultz, farmer’s daughter and almost farm wife, Schultz Farms
“Making memories with my nephews driving truck while green chopping.”—Christina Undem

“As a harvest family, our girls have had the privilege of celebrating our nation’s independence at several stops along the harvest trail. I love the welcoming spirit and patriotism of these rural communities as well as the camaraderie of fellow harvesters.”—Kerry Slagell, Slagell Harvesting, LLC

“We were one rain away from a great harvest.”—Ashley Schmidtberger, Schmidtberger Farms

The last comment didn’t have photo, but it is a precious memory nonetheless and I think we all can relate or at least visualize her story.

“Riding with Daddy in the extremely old grain truck. The hole in the floorboard by the stick shifter was a “concern” for a little girl!”—Marca Rayner Deimund

Thanks again to everyone who contributed memories. Keep up the good work and thanks for all you do to keep the world turning. We need each other!

Laura Haffner can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is brought to you by ITC Holdings, CASE IH, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, US Custom Harvesters Inc., Unverferth Mfg. Co. Inc., Lumivia CPL by Corteva Agriscience, Kramer Seed Farms, and High Plains Journal.

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