Farmer says thank you
To the Editor:
On Saturday, just as my combine broke down for the second time in as many days, as I was cutting 10 bushels per acre wheat in 90-degree heat (I was having a bad day), I was interviewed by Grant Overstake of the Hillsboro Star-Journal with a tape recorder in hand.
After he left, I thought of all the more intelligent things I could have said.
The most important thing I could have said, but didn't, is how friendly and helpful the merchants of Marion County have been.
The staff at Ag Power and Rod's Tire are always helpful and friendly in keeping my old machinery running. The staff at the FSA office are always patient with this novice farmer trying to keep the government payments flowing. The folks at the co-op production office are always willing to offer advice on what to plant and how to kill the abundant weeds. And every farmer needs a good line of credit (more so this year than ever) and Emprise has been very helpful in meeting this need.
In addition, there are a lot of friendly neighbors (Paul, Dean, Don, Lonnie, and others) who have stepped up to offer assistance when assistance has been requested.
I love country music, and I can really relate to the songs about "down-home country life" and "country friendly neighbors." So to all these folks, and others I haven't mentioned, I say "thanks."
Allen Suderman
Pasadena, Calif.
