Farmers help harvest neighbor’s fields

WINFIELD — On a beautiful fall day in October with moisture around 15% and test weight at 61% friends and neighbors came together to combine the late Dick Larson's cornfields.

Mary Larson passed away in 2017 and Dick followed this year on Aug. 11 at 78 years old.

According to his obituary, “He was a farmer in the Winfield area his entire life. Dick was a past member of the Winfield United Methodist Church and past president of the Winfield Co-op. He enjoyed attending his children’s school activities, watching NFL football and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, but most of all, he dearly loved to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren.”

So, when it came time to harvest his field, his friends and neighbors didn’t hesitate to jump in and help.

“I've lived here 41 years and I sure miss Dick and Mary, so will help with the field work,” one helper said.

It took quite the parade of machines and people to complete this job, but when asked why they were helping, many said “It's the thing to do.”

One individual stated that when they were injured, friends came and did field work, so now it's time to return the favor.

After they wrapped this project, they simply went back to work on their own fields without a second thought.

Kerry Conard, Randy Kongable, and Tony Kellogg brought their own John Deere combines to Dick’s field; Jeff Olson ran Dick's John Deere to get the job done.

Grain carts and tractors were lent and driven by Ron McArtor and Jeff Olson. Jesse Barnes also assisted in driving.

Phillip Beard, Steve Gerling, Kerry Davis, and Chad McAllister drove necessary semi-trucks to move the process along.

The large crew of help also included Deb Conrad and Maxine Mabeus who provide lunches of hot or cold sandwiches and sides. Rick Mabeus helped in a variety of ways.

As these neighbors and friends worked alongside one another, one cellphone accidentally went through the combine. It was hunted to no avail with only chopped pieces located.

On Tuesday, the troops got to work again as three combines made it into another field. Nice weather made it enjoyable to be outside.

An auger and tractor were set up in the field and stretched over the road ditch making it convenient for the semitrucks to sit on the gravel road and receive their fill of yellow corn. Bill Finke opened and closed the wagon gate when needed.

Craig Lee Ross commanded the tractor. He engaged the PTO (Power Take Off) enabling the corn to go into auger and fill the semi on the road.

Corn moisture was around 16% moisture and a heavy test weight, with good yields from a very dry drought year.

Chris Schneider and Drew Gieselman delivered afternoon snacks and window cleaner to volunteers.

Several semis were kept busy filling up and going to the elevator in Winfield or Mount Union.

Dick’s brother, Larry Larson of Iowa City, was in attendance all day.

On this day Conrad delivered Tailgate food for lunch. When the field was harvested, everyone headed home for the evening.

Even when Wednesday brought clouds and rain three combines, two tractors with grain carts and several semis kept busy on Nashua Avenue in another cornfield.

Moisture again running about 16% moisture and estimate of 200 bushel per acre.

Maxine Mabeus brought sack lunches to the crew.

Due to slippery conditions, the semis parked on the gravel road rather than get stuck in the field.

The helpers kept coming.

Ed Wilkerson assisted by driving a Prairie AG semitruck. John Jonae hopped into a combine and worked so that the field continued to be harvested amid rain drops by the end of the day.

Dick’s son, Scot Larson of Dallas, Texas, watched the activity and Jabe Finke, who was celebrating his 42nd birthday, stopped by.

The Finkes also brought morning snacks, sandwiches and French fries.

Gary Settles combined the soybeans at Dick Larson's home while Jeff Olson helping with the semitruck.

This day was the day of the breakdowns.

Four combines at the beginning of the field work, down to one combine. Repairs continued to enable machines to finish Larson's field of golden corn. John Deere repair truck with mechanic Lucas Rappenecker kept busy servicing equipment.

At the end of the day just a few rows of corn remained which will wound up the harvest the following day.

As you can see, farmers will help friends and their crop will wait to be harvested. Amid the work, there were stories, jokes and laughter.