For Our Brother and Sister Farmers in the Widwest

This summer, we have watched the stories of farmers in the midwest who are suffering through one of the worst droughts in 50 years. We shook our heads at pictures of corn plants that were only half sized and starving for rain. We've gritted out teeth as we heard that many ranchers had to send their cattle to market early instead of risking their loss by the drought. We sent good thoughts to those soybean farmers who were unsure whether they would get good yields, and all through it we prayed that we would not see a similar fate this year.

Farming is one of those jobs that no matter how big the combines get, how fast the trucks fly to the elevator, or how strong you think you have made your business, it can all be for not if Mother Nature chooses not to cooperate in your area.

Sadly, for the midwest, it appears that Mother Nature has decided to slam them with first a right hook and then, while they were down, a left. First, they are impacted by the worst drought in 50 years, and now, while the fields are dry and brittle, they are going to be lamb blasted with the remnants of Hurricane Isaac. From what I understand, it will help some farmers and could turn other dry fields into muddy bogs.

Therefore, while it is annoying to be broken down more than usual, stressful to worry about the costs of parts and labor, and exhausting putting in 16-17 hour days, we, here on the Palouse, have nothing to complain about compared to our brother and sister farmers in the midwest. Our thoughts go out to you.