Introduction of My Farmer Pen Pal

A few months ago, I mentioned to the Illinois Farm Bureau that this year's IL Field Moms pared with a farmer pen pal was a great idea. Who else better to bounce ideas off and ask for help on questions that arise from their blogs about farming? Last year when I blogged about my experiences there were several questions I could not answer. It is not like I could call up the host farm and ask what was silage. Plus, just because I spend last year visiting local farms does not make me the expert.

Guess who also got a Farmer Pen Pal? Let me introduce Susan Adams. She was born a city girl that married a fifth generation farmer. They live over a hour outside of Chicago. Susan and her husband, John, stay active with their community and several agriculture organizations. This past week she co-chaired this year's International Leadership Alumni Conference. The conference draws participants from Canada, United States and Australia.  Wonder why no Europeans?  If the Aussies can travel why not the Continent dwellers?  

While working at the conference Susan was kind enough to answer several of my questions. Since farming is a vast subject, I figured we all could learn from her knowledge. Who better to explain where are food grow?  Besides, she grew up in the city so she understood where some of my simple questions were coming from.

Susan and John's farm primarily grows corn and soybeans. This time of year, farmers prepare to bring in their crops. Susan and John are no difference, in fact one their important chores was to clean out last year's harvest from the gray buildings in the picture below. John loaded the previous year's crop into a third-party semi-truck that delivers to ADM. On a side note, the corn is not the variety that shows up at your last bar-b-que instead it most likely was either corn for animals or seeds corn.

The photo above shows a semi-truck picking up last year's crop from their farm. This photo is only a few weeks old. To prevent the heavy semi-trucks from getting stuck in the mud, they have laid down gravel and barnyard grass grew between the cracks.  Plus, the drivers know exactly where to park from past experience.

Now you know what all those gray large buildings are for on a farm.  I always wondered.  My next serious of questions circle about tractors.

Do you have a farming question for Susan?  If so, write it down in the comments.

Sharon, The Mayor