Farmers Celebrate Harvest Milestones This Thanksgiving
First and Last Harvest 112422
Thanksgiving began as a chance to celebrate the end of harvest and a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of a year's work while looking forward to a promising future.
That future is hopefully seeded with combines and cattle for Liz Forker's daughter. The little one made her harvest debut this season.
"My grandpa was freshly back from a hip replacement surgery and he was driving the combine and my little one and I brought lunch out to everybody in the field," says Forker. "We had stopped to just eat some pizza when I saw the Combine sitting there and it was kind of too good of an opportunity to pass up."
The harvest headed for cow chow brought a moment of mindfulness this holiday season after a year of drought and life changes in the Forker family.
"This year, I'm obviously thankful for a new little one," says Forker. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to raise cows with my husband and come back to my family's farm and feedlot operation. We sold our first group of calves this year and God's goodness provided us the grass to feed them in the midst of a drought which is a huge blessing."
Her youngest, now the 7th generation is ready to succeed on this Nebraska operation.
"It's always been a big deal to me to be the sixth generation on our family operation and just to have the opportunity to bring a little one back is a huge blessing," says Forker. "I will never take for granted the things that people in front of us have done to make that possible and I think it's a huge privilege."
Meanwhile, it was not the first, but the 50th harvest for Paul Wetter. His son Jonathan was there to see it.
"Dad's goal this year was to finish his 50th crop and, you know, he was out there on the last day, the 19th of October," says Jonathan. "You know, we finished up and it was a good feeling for him and it was a goal met."
The magical milestone was captured by photographer Lexie McDonough.
"When she called I was like, ok, pictures," questioned Jonathan. "She just did a phenomenal job and the sunset turned out amazing that night."
Picture perfect memories for a family to hold in their hearts as Paul prepares to say goodbye. He's been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Paul's 50th harvest will likely be his last. For him, the views from the combine cab are the best in the world. Described as a stubborn optimist, his lessons from harvest will forever linger.
"First of all, treat your neighbor like you'd want to be treated," says Jonathan. "Anybody that knows my dad knows that he has the utmost integrity, and always has. Be a good steward of the land. The main one that I take away is just to be prepared. I'm not kidding when I say we're ready to go to the field in the middle of July."
This Thanksgiving be prepared for life's next steps, whether they're firsts or lasts. May your harvest be full of the memories and moments that make life worth cherishing.
