Giving thanks ahead of Thanksgiving Nov 2019

Nov 27, 2019

U.S. farmers highlighted the importance of family and life

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Americans across the country will spend time with family and friends during Thanksgiving celebrations on Thursday and into the weekend.

Before carving into a turkey or ham with sides of potatoes and cranberry sauce, many people will take a moment to reflect on 2019 and give thanks to whatever or whomever helped make the year memorable and successful.

With that at top of mind, Farms.com reached out to members of the U.S. ag community to learn what they are thankful for this year.

Some farmers are appreciative their harvest season has come to an end.

“We finished harvest yesterday and that’s certainly one thing to be thankful for,” Laurie Isley, a cash crop producer from Palmyra, Mich., told Farms.com. “Everything went in late, but we ended up having one of the best corn crops ever, which we wouldn’t have expected.”

Isley is also thankful for her community.

A recent farm accident in the community highlighted the importance of a good support system.

“Right now, we’re especially thankful for the people around us and our families, and recognizing the precious gift that life is,” she said. “We should be thankful that we’ll be around to plant another crop next year.”

Some producers, like Doug Schroeder, a cash cropper from Mahomet, Ill., appreciates the opportunity to be part of a multigenerational farm.

“My dad is 95 and he’s still with me and helps out however he can, and that’s a really cool blessing to have,” Schroeder told Farms.com. “My son and son-in-law work with me on the farm too.”

Schroeder’s extended family is close by as well. Not all families have that luxury, he said.

“I think, today, family relationships are more spread out because people seem more inclined to move away for whatever reason,” he said. “All my children and grandchildren are close, so I can see them whenever I want. Not everyone has that and it’s definitely not something I take for granted.”

Schroder also appreciates where he lives.

“I’m thankful I live in a country where I can pursue (anything) I want to and not be persecuted for it,” he said. “I have that freedom and it’s a true blessing. I hope others don’t take it for granted.”

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Farms.com!

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