Farming in 2023 is a bit different now than when David Petefish’s family came to Illinois in the early 1830’s. Relocating from the state of Virginia, they settled in the area of Virginia, selecting that area for the rich, black soil.
Up before the sun, making sure he knows what everyone else is going to do and what he’s going to do for the day is how Marty Turner starts his day. Running a farm is a good way of life, but a hard way to make a living.
His family has been farming for many years. It started with his great grandfather. Then later his grandfather moved to Beardstown in the late 1950’s. His father helped his father farm the land along with taking care of cattle. Marty followed in the family business. And that’s what it is now, a business Marty says. Many changes in farming have occurred in the last few decades to make farming more modern and business-like.
Beard Implement Company has donated $25,000 and the use of a Case IH Farmall Tractor to John Wood Community College’s (JWCC) Agricultural Sciences Complex to support students’ experiential learning and research in West Central Illinois.
The tractor will be used by students and faculty for crop development, research and other projects at JWCC’s Agricultural Education Center near Baylis.
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Fall Harvest: Beardstown FFA Members
As a teenager, one of my farm duties was cultivating the weeds out of the corn and soybeans. I preferred to drive our bigger tractor because it was easier to handle, but the cultivator was mounted on the back which posed some additional challenges to the job at hand.
Back in those days, GPS was not an option. So I would have to keep an eye on the crop ahead of me and the equipment behind me. If I didn’t stay in the rows, I could tear out the crop. And it only took a few inches off track and I was in trouble. If I ignored the cultivator and it got clogged with bindweed it would rip the plants out of the ground. Both scenarios were ones I tried to avoid.
Harvest season is beginning across the state, and for farmers, this means early mornings, long days, and the potential for exhaustion that can lead to accidents. University of Illinois Extension Specialist and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Assistant Professor Josie Rudolphi says that agricultural workers can prevent fatigue during this busy time of year by eating protein-packed snacks to maintain energy throughout the day. She also recommends drinking plenty of water, not just caffeinated drinks, and whenever possible, taking frequent breaks, naps, or energizing walks.