18Oct 09
Passing on the Farming Vision
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Many years ago my Grandparents were raised on farms in North Dakota. Their life style back then included raising cattle, hunting birds ,raising chickens (up to 200), and many other things. Grandpa said that on late nights he could often remember hearing the howls of coyotes on top of hay piles left out in the moon light after being recently gathered.
Both of our Grandparents really remember picking potatoes 
. Up in North Dakota, many farms would grow acres and acres of potatoes. When it would be the time for picking, they would have a tractor go through all the rows and plow up the potatoes. After this, children from town, including our grandparents, would go and pick up many bushels of potatoes. For every bushel picked, they would earn 5 cents. That was a lot of money for them in those days.
We have been looking forward to having Grandpa and Grandma join us for a day at our land. They have played a key role, through their stories and ideas, in creating within us a love for farming and living in the country. For Fathers Day this year, we gave Grandpa a special gift: an invitation to join us for a day on the land.
The Thursday was set and Grandpa & Grandma came out for the day! How we enjoyed hearing them talk about their childhood farming adventures as we walked through the 
garden, drove through the orchard, ate a scrumptious dinner (including some fruit freshly cut by Grandpa), and watched the 
sun set. It was extra memorable having Grandpa and Grandma join us for an inspection of the bee hives. The Lord blessed our time together and we look forward to spending more time out there with them in the future!
My grandfather was born in a soddie in North Dakota in 1907. How I wish he was still alive to tell us what it was like then to actually homestead the new territory. I’m so happy you got to spend time with your grandparents. Do they live far away? We plan to visit my grandmother this December. She’s 98!
Kenan – I appreciate your zeal for the outdoors: farming in particular. You have also encouraged me with the way you spend time listening to Grandpa & Grandma. I think my top memory from the day was having Grandma put on the Bee veil as we inspected the hives. Unfortunately, that picture seems to have disappeared.
Jamie – wow – from North Dakota as well? That is amazing. Sounds like quite a remarkable family heritage. We hope all goes well with your Grandmother this December – get those questions ready! We feel very blessed to live about 20 minutes from Grandpa & Grandma. They are a blessing!
What an experience, that is exciting you can learn tips on farming and spend time with your grandparents! Looks like your all having fun.
That was such a delightful day! Gleaning insights from those who have gone before you is so helpful.
Sounds like a great day. Sounds like you all are “hearing the instruction of a father”. I especially like that picture of the comb drawn out below that frame! That’s a nice piece of wax. Some people leave gaps in the hive on purpose, to harvest the top-quality wax that the bees build there. (It has to be harvested almost daily – before it gets filled with nectar or brood.)
Wow! thats cool!