We'd Like To Mention

There are days when you just need to clear your head and get away from all the distractions, if only for a few hours. My dad used to drive his Dodge pickup around the countryside, checking the condition of his crops and those of our neighbors. Seeing the rows of corn sway in the summer breeze would help ease his mind, melting away the tensions of everyday life on the Cottonwood Dairy Farm.

I had been feeling restless and uncertain recently, and on a crisp, sunny fall afternoon, I found myself in the open cockpit of a 1942 Stearman Navy N2S4, a biplane used as a military trainer in World War II. I was harnessed securely in the front seat, with my capable pilot Douglas Watanabe at the controls in the seat behind me.

The 220-hp Continental engine roared to life, hurling us down the runway. Lifting gently off the ground, the aircraft quickly climbed to an altitude of some 1,700 feet, cruising at 100 mph. Below, I could see the hustle and bustle of the sprawling city connected by ribbons of concrete roadways full of vehicles of every description speeding to their next destinations.

The urban landscape soon gave way to open country. To my left was the meandering Mississippi River, providing a serene backdrop to harvested fields as far as the eyes could see. Neatly laid out farmsteads dotted the landscape like carefully assembled Lego blocks rising from the ground.

My mind began to drift, wondering about the families that worked the land below. The sacrifices, financial investment, hard work and hours required to operate a farm business -- and the passion that drives farmers day after day.

My thoughts were interrupted as the plane made a 360-degree turn to start our way back to the airport. We soon descended in preparation for our final approach, the aircraft gliding effortlessly until the wheels touched down on the grass runway. As we climbed out of the cockpit and jumped off the wing, I felt a sense of calm. Sometimes, you need a higher perspective to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

ANOTHER ITEM WE'D LIKE TO MENTION:

A GREAT READ

Many of you likely remember seeing Jim Patrico's byline and photo credit on the pages of Progressive Farmer during his 20 years at the magazine. Jim is an award-winning writer and photographer who covered the ag equipment industry, crafting together insightful stories with engaging images of the people he interviewed.

Over a 40-year career, Jim had a front-row seat observing and reporting on some of the evolutionary forces, people and events that were transforming American agriculture and rural America. He shares many of his observations in his new book, "Dispatches From Farm Country: A journalist's decadeslong search for the soul of rural America in a changing world."

The published work is deeply personal for Jim. "My goal with the book is to explain to urban and rural readers -- and to myself -- the incredible changes we've seen in rural America over the last four decades. I met some remarkable people. I want to share their stories, because they are key to understanding the nation as a whole."

It's a fascinating read, with stories about farmers and ranchers that are instructive, emotional and some just plain fun. You won't be disappointed adding Jim's book to your must-read list. The paperback version goes on sale Dec. 3, but it is now on preorder at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop and other outlets. The eBook version is already available from some of these vendors.

**

-- Email Gregg Hillyer at gregg.hillyer@dtn.com, or follow Gregg on social platform X @GreggHillyer

[PF_1224]

(c) Copyright 2024 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.