When life introduces seasons of change there are certain simplicities that keep us grounded. For me, organization and routine are key to keeping that balance. But when I need a quick cure for my insecurities, I make time for a trip home to the farm. The familiarity of home is […]

    Calloused hands, Gentle heart. There to guide me, From the start. Flock and family, Under his command. He guards his household, He protects his land. Wealth of wisdom, He conveys. I learned by watching, His benevolent ways. He tends to those, Who are in need. With a steady […]

She commands the combine during harvest, sweeps away the dirt and dust we track in the house, and once successfully delivered quintuplet lambs while my father was away. Like many mothers, my farm mom does it all. She even manages to balance the roles of wife and mother while brightening […]

April 4th marked my Grandma Dorothy’s birthday. Born in 1922, she would have turned 95. Grandma Banwart passed away in 2002 when I was only 8 years old. My warmest memories of her consist of the books she used to read to me and the songs we sang together while […]

Iowans are often portrayed as hillbilly farmers who wear bib overalls. Although many of my fellow Iowegians rightfully take offense to this characterization, I have learned to embrace it. I’m no fashionista, but there’s something to be said about the practicality and legacy of a good ole pair of worn […]

For many years, a distinct sign graced the front entrance of the long dusty lane leading to our family farm. “Baaanwart” read the black and white sheep cutout. It was a play on words of our Swiss surname, and an amusing hint about the species of livestock we raised. For […]