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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — JANUARY 7/JANUARY 14, 2022
The sunny side: Perks of harvest participation There can often be kind of a love/hate that time of year—calm on the outside, relationship going between the farm fambut calculating like crazy profits and ily and the harvest season. losses for the year, and hoping it’s good news for the banker and the bottom line. Kind of like what goes on between husbands and wives during that arduous Eating lunch in the field is a special and elbow-deep paper-flying tax preparaevent all its own. A neighbor lady of ours tion season … even without the profanitold me just this past fall, “Everything ties which sometimes find their way to tastes better when it’s eaten in a tractor the home office in the process. cab.” I had not thought of it that way TABLE TALK before; and maybe it’s just a woman’s The long hours of harvest offset the perspective. It gives me insight as to why By Karen Schwaller anticipation of what is always hoped to young children are always finding their be the biggest crop yet. Machinery breakway into the farmer’s nosebag. There’s downs at critical times make farmers just something about finding some kind of treasure anxious; but when combine heads swallow up the in there to eat while spending time in the combine year’s work, there’s something to be said about the cab. satisfaction which comes from seeing a field completely gleaned and moved from the field into storNot having to cook supper is another perk for the age. woman of the house who also gets more fresh air and exercise than normal as she helps with the harThere are many perks observed between the first vest. In our operation, when it’s time to think about field of the harvest being opened up and the last supper for our crew, it’s my job to abandon the grain load of the year going to the bin. cart and leave it to someone else while I scamper to Breathtaking sunsets would have to be among the nearest town to pick up something for everyone. those perks that only serve to distract a person so I could complain that I always have to be the one to much they could forget why they are out there to run after supper for everyone; but I don’t do it see it in the first place. More than once I’m sure it because those trips to town also afford me a chance was the reason for an S.O.S. call on the radio from to answer Mother Nature’s call like civilized people my husband to tell me to get over a row or two do. I need to be careful what I wish for… because I was too close to the combine. It’s the one time of year when I understand why the male of the species finds beauty so distracting. Though I can’t say I’ve ever had to tell my husband he was driving too close to me… When you participate in the harvest you get to see the world from a higher vantage point. For us short people, it’s a glimpse into the world of thinner air MANKATO, Minn. — David Preisler, long-time and for once, looking down at people … who can CEO of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association also now see our double chins without trying too and Minnesota Pork Board, announced his plans to hard. retire from the organization effective June 1, 2022. I always find the irony in it when I’m following Preisler notified the Board of his plans at its Board the combine in the field, and it appears to move meeting on Dec. 16. His retirement will mark nearly along slowly and methodically. But on the side of 28 years leading the Pork association and representthe combine are small gears that you can see runing the interests of Minnesota’s family pig farmers. ning fervently — like they’re on a serious mission to “It has been a privilege to work with some of the keep that combine going. It reminds me of ducks: country’s best livestock farmers here in Minnesota looking calm above the water, but padding like who are not only excellent farmers but outstanding crazy underneath. I also think it’s how farmers look industry leaders at both the state and national levels,” Preisler said. “Minnesota is the second largest state in pork production (value and number of market pigs raised) and we are fortunate to have a very strong producer-led organization with knowledgeable and committed Board members, a dedicated staff, and strong relationships across the agricultural community and beyond. It has been an honor to serve Minnesota’s pig farmers who are committed to doing what is right for their animals, their people and communities, and the environment. My career has really been about the people, and I have had the joy of working with exceptional staff who also believe in serving farmers. I really feel like I’m stepping away
And after riding high in the tractor cab all day, I feel like I’m riding a skateboard to town as I drive along in the pickup. The days start early and are long. But in retrospect, they go by quickly. It’s kind of exciting for most of the day, but by 8:00 at night I’m usually ‘over it’ and just want to go home. I might have another two or three hours before that happens, though. It’s amazing to watch the landscape change as the harvest goes along. Not just from our fields being done, but from the work all farmers are accomplishing. The fields are bare, you can see for miles, and it creates the canvas for the coming winterscape. All that’s left to come are the cows quietly grazing, round bales dotting the fields, and then the snow. Most of all, the harvest is a feeling of being part of something much larger than ourselves … something we could not do if it were left solely to human hands. Perhaps it’s a good thing God’s not ‘over it’ by 8:00 at night, like I am. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v
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Pork Producers CEO Preisler retiring from the organization at the right time and in very good hands.” John Anderson, a Stearns County pig farmer and current president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, commented, “Dave has provided excellent leadership to Minnesota Pork and has effectively represented the interests of pork producers throughout Minnesota and nationally. Over the years, Dave has helped producers navigate the intricacies of government policy, permitting, sustainability, animal wellbeing, and the importance of consumer outreach and engagement. The pork industry has faced difficult situations over Dave’s career and his steady leadership and commitment to Minnesota pig farmers helped see us through the challenging seasons of farming. Minnesota Pork is in a good place today because of Dave Preisler and we wish him the very best in future years.” Preisler has committed to assisting Minnesota Pork with the transition to a new leader. The Board intends to conduct a search of potential candidates to replace Preisler over the coming months. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. v
