Our Ever Evolving Farm---National Ag Day thoughts from this Farm Momma...........

Next summer, The Farmer and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. This spring marks 25 years since we began our journey, dating, getting engaged and so on. I have been reflecting a lot lately on how our farm, which IS our lives, has evolved in a quarter of a century.

The Farmer's Grandfather and his older brother, taken about in the 1900's

Our four kids, taken approximately 100 years later.

In the 25 years that I have known my Farmer, I have had the pleasure to meet and know 4 generations of our hard working farming family. When we were first married, there were three generations involved in the farm. The Farmer's paternal grandparents both passed away the same year that our middle son was born, so they did get to know our oldest. Somewhere there's a 4 generation picture, be darned if I can find it. 

When we were first married, Hasekamp Farms, wasn't H&K back then, raised both cattle and hogs. I can remember some 'lively discussions' at loud volumes that were shared among the generations as we sorted market hogs or really about any other thing that we did with them some days! 

When we first got married, we lived in a 14x70 mobile home that was just north of the main farmstead. About the time that our second son was born, which just so happen to coincide with the passing of the grandparents and The Farmer's sisters graduating college, etc...........we traded houses with The Farmer's parents. Many blog followers likely remember that we outgrew that house about 5 yrs ago and added a sizable addition, which now houses, the 4th generation of Hasekamps. 

We have been lucky and blessed to add acreage to our operation, purchasing, over the year 3 additional farms. With many 'tractor drivers' we have been able to cover the acres. Of course, farm practices have evolved considerably over the last quarter century and not as many 'drivers' are always needed. 

We have doubled the size of our planter and the head of our combines. Both upgrades allow The Farmer and Uncle Honey to cover more acres in a day, which I am always thrilled for anything that makes their work easier. 

After discontinuing to raise hogs, we have increased our cattle numbers, with the addition of a neighbors' herd that my guys also take care of, we up to a few hundred fed and cared for daily. 

When we first were married, we bought a computer, and it literally sat and gathered dust. Today, the computer and internet are some of our most valuable tools, used in research and marketing on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. And it's my FAVORITE tool for sharing our story and AGvocating for Agriculture!

As we look forward to what will life be on H&K in another 25 yrs, or longer, I am reassured of many things. The future is bright. It's ALWAYS a 'busy time of year'. There's more to learn, ways to expand and just one more 'five minute job' to keep us hopping!

Happy National Ag Day!

Thanking my fellow farm families everywhere,

From Tulip~ 

KH

:)

So what's going on in your world? It sure is busy in mine..........

That's not the exact line of the George Strait song, I believe he mentions being lonesome..............am I lonesome, shoot no. Busy, up to my eyeballs, kinda like normal. No big shocks there, right folks? For those who may not know, there have been many changes in life as we know it at H&K Farms...............Here's a little run-down:

1. Oldest child has been away at his first semester of college, left days after my last post and I haven't posted since, no that's not my plan, but sometimes life gets in the way.........on a similar note, he has one more final to take in the morning and will be headed home for Christmas break. He goes back in January as a Sophomore..........thud, yeah it makes me feel old. 
2. I have entered the working world. I did it for a lot of reasons. First off, it just makes sense, our kids are old enough to allow me to be gone some and they are at school all day everyday. I feel blessed to be able to relieve a little of the financial burden of our large family from The Farmer. And its afforded us the ability to offer some extras that we feel are important to our family. 
3. Still subbing at school once in a while. The job I am mainly doing isn't even the first job I took this fall. I worked as temporary employee at a small dog show production company. I am not sure that's what they call it, but that's my best attempt at describing it. They are affiliated through the AKC. They produce (do all the nuts and bolts required) dog shows all over the country, but primarily in the Midwest. I helped with logging entries, creating the rosettes given as prizes and the creation of the catalogs and just a little bit of everything. I enjoyed the work. I loved spending time in the town I grew up in, with people I grew up with. It only ended up being a temporary thing, and it was probably for the best. I got my feet wet rejoining the working world, gave me a transition time to get used to making things work at home while not being here as much. My kids eased into the change. 
4. Now I am an office support staff person for a real estate agency. Is this my life long dream? Not sure. Do I like it? Too new to it to know. Is it satisfying work? Yes. I am loving bringing home 'the bacon' wish the drive wasn't so long and that I could iron some of the rough spots that aren't exactly gelling but its a process, right?
5. Our middle son is playing HS sports, we enjoyed an awesome fall of football, with him literally playing on all three levels, Freshman, JV and Varsity. Now wrestling season has begun, and he's starting to really shine. Will be a GREAT winter of watching him on the mat. 
6. As far as writing, you all obviously realize I haven't blogged, much, like at all, lately. But that doesn't mean I haven't been writing. I have.............I have the beginnings of about 4 short stories in the works, trying to tweak them and add to them. I am considering publishing them. With media available in so many forms and self-publishing an option in some formats, its something I am considering. While I am working on the finishing touches of these stories, I am already outlining a personal story, that I am intending to write for my kids and family. I am doubting its anything that I would ever publish, strictly a labor of love. 
7. As you also know, sewing or more specifically quilting is also a love of mine. I have combined that love with my writing skills and have a pattern that I am hoping to publish and potentially sell in the new year. 

Well as you can see, while I have been on a short hiatus in the blogging world, I certainly haven't been without my usual set of many irons in the fire. Looking forward to adding the blogging iron on a more regular basis. With the holidays approaching I would like to wish all of our followers, family and friends a truly Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Staying up too late but missing my blog and wanting to say a quick hello,

From Tulip~

KH

:)

August

Since we are over half way through the month and I haven't managed to post one entry, and it looks like that theme could likely continue, I thought the title was appropriate. What a month it has been, what a month it will be. August is one of those months of change. Some years its something I look forward to, some years not so much. I remember as a kid, I was one of those kids who looked forward to school starting. Another childhood memory was attending the State Fair with my best friend and camping with her grandparents there. 24 years ago, this was a very emotional month. I went to college, four hours from home. I was a homesick kid.

I didn't miss the State Fair that year. In fact those few days were highlights of my summer, that year. As we walked around the fairgrounds a few nights ago, I was transported in my mind to a time when The Farmer and I walked the fairgrounds together, hand in hand. That part was still the same, but this time we had two of our four kids in tow. We talked about the conversation that would forever change both of our lives. At the MO State Fair August of 1989, sitting on a FFA kids' trailer project was the first time we talked about getting married. For anyone who wonders why the State Fair is so special to me, that conversation is a big reason why.

The only State Fair in recent memory that I did not attend was 19 years ago. I was VERY, VERY pregnant with our oldest son. I keep reminding myself that in a few weeks he will be as old as I was when I got married and had my own household and that the trip to take him to school is the next step and that he is ready for it. Although he is, I am not sure I am. Had my first of likely many 'take your breath away' crying moments this morning just thinking about what is ahead. I sure hope he's tougher than me. But I will also admit, I hope when he is done, he comes back home and stays close.

As I sat thinking about this blog, there were so many things that I wanted to talk about, which of course is the reminder that I haven't blogged nearly often enough. I know that the above paragraphs are kind of rambling and almost garbled, so sorry. Feeling kind of a mess right now. So, I will close with some pictures that will at least update you a little on what all THIS August has been about.

Seth's first year in 4H and Cody's last year in 4H, sigh......

8yr olds pose for pictures, 14 yr olds, not so much

Practicing fitting technique, smh.....

Serious little show woman! 

While there are a million more other things that I could write and post pics of, August isn't over, maybe I will get a chance to share more stories.

Savoring the last moments of summer,

From Tulip~

KH

:)

Local Fair Wrap-Up, only 16 days since my last post~YIKES!!!!

Hey there friends,

Did you wonder what happened to us? Well guess no more, here comes a barrage of pictures and misc random facts about the wanderings of this Farm family for the last 2 weeks or so............... Why have I been MIA? Well its Fair Season, kinda similar to any other sports season, long hours, hard work, but oh so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!

It started where I started, Sturgeon........ The little town I grew up in a few miles away was our first show of the season. We took 6 head of cattle, 4 steers, 2 heifers. That night Cody showed a steer and a heifer, Sam showed 2 steers, Jenna showed a steer and Seth showed a heifer; take a look.

After their bath, they get tied to a tree in the yard. 

How many kids does it take to fit a calf?

Every job needs a Supervisor, right?

Getting ready to head into the ring. 

Such ferocious beasts, and the calf looks wild too! ;) 

Cody's last year and Seth's first year in 4H 

Wondering what mischief inspired this big smile?!?!?

Jenna Claire workin' the stick, doing her thing. 

The Sturgeon Cattle Show actually happens while the Centralia Fair is going on, which means that we had fair 'duties' before and after that show. We had helped get ready for the fair, checked in building exhibits, etc. Then the day AFTER the Sturgeon Cattle show was the Centralia Cattle Show. The Farmer and I used to be Chairmen of this, but when our kids became old enough to show, we passed the torch, so to speak. Now The Farmer's sister and her husband run the show, because as you can see, we are a LITTLE busy!!!

The littlest farmer was working away at his heifer.

Most important part of the show, getting the ribbon. 

At 10 yrs older, Cody is a LITTLE more serious in the ring. 

Seth is stretching that stick to its limits. 

Out of the ring, not as serious! 

Reserve Champion Angus Steer

Jenna and 'Horns'

Sam and 'Twinkle Toes' 

As soon as the two local fairs concluded, we got right to work preparing for county fairs, we show at two. The county we are 4H members in and the county we live in. For most people that would be the SAME county. But for us, we live in the absolute edge of Monroe County, the kids are in 4H in Audrain County and actually attend school, in yet another county, Boone. So between 4H, FFA and where we live, we could actually call three counties OUR county fair. :)

A few days after the local fairs, we headed to the Monroe County Fair. It was a very hot day there, I really can't think of too many Monroe County Fair Cattle Show days that aren't hot! Mid July, in Mid Missouri that's pretty well the deal!

Sam washing the girlfriends' calves, hmmmmmmmmmm

Our nephew Marshall and his bottle calf.

BYOB? Well when you are showing bottle calves, YES!

Some of our cattle showing fam, the Cooley's

Our group is BIG, kids galore! 

It's a group effort, Cody was holding a calf while our neighbor showed her other heifer.

Sam helping another member of our club show his cow calf pair.

Cody's steer, I would offer its name, but he doesn't name them anymore.

Seth and 'Scratchy' his heifer this year, she was his bottle calf last year.

Jenna and her steer, she does name hers, this is Horns.

Last of the four smaller fairs we do is our county fair, which started last Friday. Friday was spent baking cookies and biscuits for the little kids Foods building exhibits, pies for my concession stand donation and preparing food to take to the fair. We can't afford to feed everyone every meal there, we'd go broke! ;) While the little kids and I got their exhibits checked in, the big boys got our spot in the barn ready. Then this last Saturday, we spent about 16 hours on the fairgrounds, showing cattle. Our neighbor girl got sick and wasn't able to show her cattle, so we jumped in and helped out. (You thought I had ALREADY added A LOT of pics, wait till you see this group!)

We sorta take up a BIG section of the fairgrounds when we get there!

Lunch was TACOS!

The canopies provided a nice shade. 

Our club made 100% of the entries of the 4H Bucket Calf Class.

Sam showing Brittney's Angus Heifer.

Sam showing Brittney's Charolais Heifer

Cody and Jenna showing her Cow Calf Pair

The Farmer doing some of the 'dad duties' at the show. 

Dollens sisters, members of our club. 

Sam showing someone's Shorthorn heifer, not sure who's. 

Seth and Scratchy, show face on! 

Cody got Senior Showman. 

Sam showing Britt's Angus Bull

Cody and The Queen, Emily! 

Jenna won the light weight steer class. 

Ol' Seffy Kamps gives momma a half hearted smile.

Cody and his steer

Sam (AKA Brittney as they were now calling him) showing his OWN steer. 

So as you can see we have been a LITTLE busy the last little bit. And although there's not any fairs this week for us, there's football camp, which I need to go get Sam from.

Enjoying these beautiful summer days,
From Tulip~
KH
:)