5 minute read
Making it all Fit
MAKING IT ALL FIT
Story and photos by Sally Scholle
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Like those of any farmer, Jason Sauder’s days are full. In addition to raising their four children, Jason and his wife Melissa have been operating their family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania since taking the reins from Jason’s father.
“My grandfather Ernest owned it first as a dairy farm,” says Jason, discussing the history of the farm. As Ernest brought both his sons on more with the farm, Jason and his brother Kevin formed a partnership in 2002. The dairy herd was sold in 2009, and Jason began farming on his own, raising dairy calves and heifers for several farms, and currently finishes about 50 of his own steers each year. Jason also hauls pigs for a local grower.
The farm includes hay acreage, which yields three cuttings of high-quality hay each season, and Jason grows corn and soybeans as cash crops. Throughout the year, Jason might spend the day planting crops, caring for livestock, hauling a load of pigs, making hay, or harvesting grain. He’s also a first responder, which means there’s a chance he might receive a call from the West Hempfield Volunteer Fire Department.
“About ten minutes after I proposed to Melissa, my pager went off,” Jason recalls, adding that he didn’t have to leave for that call. “We’re one hundred percent volunteer, so it varies as far as who’s around for calls. Sometimes it’s tough to get help during the day — not everyone lives close or can leave work for a call.”
Jason began serving as a volunteer firefighter for the West Hempfield Fire and Rescue when he was 15, and recently stepped down as Chief after holding that position for seven years. The company serves a mixed rural and residential community of around 16,000 and responds to about 600 calls annually.
As volunteers, Jason and fellow firefighters might respond to a vehicle accident, a hay bale fire, or assist another company with a house fire. “Sometimes I can’t leave when a call comes in,” says Jason, adding that activities such as planting, haymaking and harvest time take priority and make it impossible for him to leave the farm.
Jason says that as a regular member, he strives to respond to as many calls as possible, but feels less stress when he’s forced to miss a call. Jason added that his father served as a volunteer firefighter for the same company for many years.
For Jason, juggling various aspects of farming has helped him handle the high stress situations that come with being a firefighter. “Making quick decisions on a fire call is one of the things volunteers must be able to do,” he says. “Reviewing the actions afterwards is a learning experience for everyone.”
The Sauders host annual on-farm training sessions for the fire company. They’ve used the silos to practice rappelling, and members have received training on how to safely perform silo rescues and handle silo gas.
“We did a simulation of someone passed out on a ladder,” says Jason. “We also did a practice search detail for a lost hunter.” While on the Sauders’ farm
for first-hand experience, volunteer firefighters also learn how to draft water from a stream to use for fires. Although there are junior fire company members who are eager to start serving, they must undergo training. Jason and other experienced members strive to encourage and mentor young people to keep them interested in becoming full members.
Cooperation among companies and individuals is essential during an emergency. Jason says mutual aid companies working with other companies as needed are one of the keys to providing good service to the community. For example, West Hempfield doesn’t have a ladder truck, but they do have a rescue truck that’s used primarily for vehicle accidents. This allows West Hempfield to provide mutual aid with that vehicle.
The West Hempfield Fire and Rescue is wellsupported by the community. An annual open house hosted by the company features fire truck rides and educational activities. Residents and volunteers alike are proud of a recently completed building project that houses the fire department as well as police and township offices.
Melissa grew up in the area and was involved in 4-H and FFA, and enjoyed participating in livestock shows. She also has experience milking cows, and enjoys caring for the calves on the farm.
The Sauders’ oldest daughter Jamie is studying to be a surgical technician. Their son Regan works off the farm for a custom farming operation, and recently returned after spending the summer on a wheat harvest crew. He also works on the farm when he’s available. Daughter Kelci is active in FFA and would love a career with horses, and young Kylee will soon be old enough to participate in open livestock shows.
The Sauders have had a relationship with Farm Credit since 2010. After selling the dairy herd the year before, they decided to harvest their own rye and corn, and a Farm Credit EXPRESS loan helped them purchase harvest equipment. In 2020, the Sauders worked with Farm Credit loan officer Sarah Worobey to refinance the farm. “Sarah was so helpful and accommodating throughout the process,” says Melissa.
Melissa explains that Jason’s busy schedule on the farm, off the farm and as a first responder forces him to try to make the best decisions for each aspect. “He tries to prioritize and make up for what he can’t do,” she said. “I try to make it less stressful for him here.”
