[Texas Fossil]

My family has owned/operated farms in this county since 1889. I was 1st to move away. Was gone 25 years, back since 1995.

I have no illusions about the reality of it. It is a very difficult way to make a living. We own our land and equipment and are not in current terms “large farmers”.

Many local farmers today work 10,000 acres. Talk about exposure. And the equipment cost is huge.

Problem today? The strong dollar has killed our export in many crops because of exchange rates. That and input cost push due to “technology” (i.e. seed law)

We want to continue, it will not be easy.

My father is 92, has farmed here all his life except for 2+ years in Europe during WWII. He was also a general contractor, he was very good at that too.

He still lives alone and drives his pickup and car (locally). He is happiest if he can still be involved, he likes to set on the turn row and “supervise”. He is a great guy. Respected by all who know him.

[texas_mrs]

Your dad reminds me of my dad. He had a heavy/highway equipment company and though he built it up to almost 100 employees, you never found him in the office, always on a dozer. He, too, was respected by most everyone who knew him.

His company was sued once by a landowner with whom he had a handshake deal, even though the landowner came out ahead in the deal. She (an Austinite, go figure) was upset several cedars were taken out when he built a road and tank (pond) for her in exchange for the use of her water on the building of the highway. The locals could see that she was taking advantage of the situation and threw it right out. A handshake deal and my father's word was good enough for them.

He passed last month. I sure miss the guy.