The Family Farm is the place where the love of the work replaces the long hours and hard work. They grew up as a farmer's child and they passed it on to their children. This American institution is the strongest backbone of the USA. They have a strong sense of community and value life. We can't let them fail. This is a tragedy occurring in plain sight, it is time they find allies and continue their very valuable work.
August 16, 2019By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz
Cooper Garlisch, age 2 ½, (click here) was not about to lose the Cutest Little Farmer contest. Climbing atop his red toy tractor, he scooted himself across a stage at the Illinois State Fair with gusto, drawing cheers from an audience that seemed to appreciate the showmanship.
His dad, Scott Garlisch, watched with amusement, soaking in one of the sweeter events of the annual celebration of all things agriculture — and putting aside, for a moment, the stresses weighing on his farm as the industry faces what some say is the worst year in memory.
“I have two young boys, I want to ensure their future if they want to be in ag like my dad was, like my grandpa was and like I’m involved in,” said Garlisch, 33, whose family grows corn and soybeans and raises cattle in Mason County. “And it’s not good times.”...
...Bad weather. Trade uncertainties. Volatile prices. Paired with the high cost of land, equipment and fertilizer, “I tell ya, it’s a nightmare,” said Roger Brasel, 72, who has a trucking operation as well as a hog, corn and soybean farm in Milford.
“In 50 years of farming, I have never seen anything like this year — never,” said Caroline Bartz, 70, as she lingered in the swine barn with her family, which raises hogs and grows hay and other crops on about 500 acres in Morgan County....
