Yes, I have a great connection to this photo, it is where I grew up, at this very farmstead. My grandpa owned it, then my dad, and now I. The Harvestore was removed in the 80's. Everything else remained the same until 2011, a straight line windstorm in excess of 120 mps came through and took all the evergreens, the barn, the sheep barn and the corn crib. All of the original trees within the barnyard are also gone. The homestead is a very somber place to those that knew it in the beginning. My husband and I are replacing every evergreen that was destroyed to make it a great place once again like it use to be.

If this is 1972, then the Harvestore was just erected. I was 10 years old. Years later, I remember climbing that thing four times in one day when we were filling it with silage. I was deathly scared of heights before, but definitely not after. So many fond memories, and now that I look back, fun times on the family farm. They say you can take the boy out of the farm, but not the farm out of the boy. This is true. I left in 1980 and served in the USAF. Dad retired from farming in 1983. I am so glad and thankful my youngest sister and her family now own "our" home, where we grew up. I miss the lifestyle, the quietness, the work, the family togetherness, the easier time in living. Mom had her large garden, and for us kids, well, we had the whole farm to play on. When I get back in the area, I go out to the farm and take a walk to reminisce.

I remember visiting this farm many times; I think I even babysat all of you kids now and then. A beautiful place to grow up, live and enjoy forever!