CROP PERIL CONTINUES
I am standing on Road S, four miles south of Road 31 in Hamilton County, and I feel like I am in the Dirty Thirties. The wind pounds against the ground as it has for what seems like months. For miles and miles, the land is desolate and barren and hard to fathom.
Jerrad Banning has farmed his family’s ground in Hamilton county for as long as he can remember. Adolf and Iva Klassen, his great grandparents, have farmed in this county for over 100 years.
Banning recalls the stories of the Dirty Thirties and how similar they are today. “The way he got through the 30s and the Great Depression was working as a mechanic. People would bring their vehicles to him. It paid the bills. And today that is what I am doing.”
A small farmer compared to some, Banning planted milo and wheat but the wheat hasn’t even germinated. It is just sitting in the ground.
Banning owns and operates IronMonger’s Garage next to his home, south of Road 31. He and his wife, Alyssa, along with their three children moved to this location twelve years ago. Some of you may know it as Aldolf and Louise Brehm’s.
In February of last year, Banning opened the garage. And that along with his wife working as the music teacher at the Syracuse Elementary School helps them raise their three young daughters.
Banning added, “Economically this is devastating for the whole community. Children and adults dealing with respiratory issues because of dust in the air. Trucks are being shut down because of the wind and the dirt. If semis aren’t running then they aren’t receiving their goods. It took us over six weeks to get parts from Wichita due to high wind.”
This past winter the wind and the dirt were so bad, even in the shop, they had to shut down.
It’s the second year in this extreme drought. And it’s the second failed wheat crop. They put a lot of money in potentially raising a crop two years ago. Nothing.
Only one inch of rain has fallen on our lands in the last five months. And there is very little cover, none south of road 31. We are in an extreme drought excluding a small northern portion of the county which is only in severe drought.
Crop adjusters are all over Hamilton County and the mood is dark. It’s on every farmers mind. Will there be a harvest?
With no rain, the poor crop has been evident in the southern part of the county since last fall due to poor germination.
The early heat combined with high winds and no rain has caused the Northwest portion of the county to lose their bushels as well. And every day with no rain puts the county in more danger of a smaller and smaller harvest.
The small rain and hail we received last Thursday perked the wheat up for a moment.
Adjusted numbers are heartbreaking. Darrin DeWitt said, “The wheat out south is in very tough condition. All my wheat south of Road 31 had been adjusted out. All of it appraised at less than two bushel. This year has me very concerned for the community. If the farmers aren’t doing well the whole community suffers. Wheat up north has a chance if it rains soon. I haven’t contracted any just due to drought conditions. Hopefully we can cut enough for seed wheat this fall.“
When I spoke with Randy Levens on Monday, he commented, “If it would rain I would cut every acre even south… ask me Friday I will probably tell you different. We got .10 or nothing last week. Wheat is headed and probably starting to pollinate.. Blooming and heat are a bad combination. The only positive is it’s already toughened because of drought … and not actively growing and more tender. If we could catch a shower Wednesday maybe it would hang on a little more . I don’t see it happening though. Obviously south of Road 31 a lot of it is already being destroyed. It’s been running on empty for too long”.
The north part of the county still has a chance to harvest some but high winds, excessive heat early in the year, and the continual loss of soil moisture are lessening the chances hourly.
The small bright shining star is record high grain prices . It has given hope to those who still have a crop to harvest.
NEWS
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OPINIONS
A SUNSET
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What memories do you have of childhood summers? Are they centered around family? Fun? County fairs? We just completed anothercounty fair. My daughter did well. And I am proud of her hard work. But as I am wiped out exhausted, recovering, getting ready for the next... [More]
Raise Someone Up Today
Right now my world is consumed by the county fair. I literally eat sleep and breathe it. When people ask if we are ready for school, my answer is after the fair we can think about it. When my daughter asks about some future event, my answer is after the fair we will discuss... [More]
One Child At A Time
Last week I mentioned how sometimes life can throw us good surprises. Well last week I had an opportunity to volunteer with poultry testing in our county. The veterinarian showed up and I mentioned how much my daughter wants to become a vet. And could she watch her work. ... [More]
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Hard work. It’s what I grew up with and it’s what I believe in. It’s what we teach our daughter. You want things, it takes hard work. Yes, once in a while you will be given a gift and that is wonderful and be grateful. But the grit and the sweat is what... [More]
Exactly As You Are
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SPORTS
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OBITUARIES
Terry Ogden Herndon
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Irvin Henry (Junior) Lewis, Jr.
Irvin Henry Lewis, Jr. always known as “Junior” Junior was born in a little country house in Stanton County Kansas on January 26, 1932. He was the youngest of 3 children born to Irvin H. Lewis and Effie (Mae) Hardin. The eldest a sister Ethel Lorraine... [More]
Darrell D. Markley
Darrell D. Markley passed away on Sunday August 7, 2022, at the age of 95 at the Hamilton County Hospital ISB in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born on September 23, 1926, in Enterprise, Kansas the son of Oscar Markley and Nellie (Richards) Markley. Darrell was raised in Abilene, Kansas... [More]
Dale Lee Simmons
A Memorial Service for Dale Simmons will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Hartman School Gymnasium in Hartman, Colorado,with Pastor Jason Kirkpatrick officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hartman Cemetery. Per Dale’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.
Dale Lee Simmons passed away on July 30, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 81. He was born on February 23, 1941, in Pratt, Kansas, to John and Theda (Carr) Simmons.
Dale grew up in Pratt, Kansas until he was seven years old. The family then moved to Hartman, Colorado,where he played basketball for the Hartman Bears. Dale graduated with the class of 1959, the last class to graduate from Hartman. He was united in marriage to Frances Leah Dennis on August 30, 1959. To this union, four children were born.
When Dale was only seven years old, he began driving a tractor. After his father’s death, Dale took over the family farm at the age of 15. He farmed until partially retiring in 2017. Dale continued to swath hay and operate a grain cart until his passing. Dale served on the Fire and Ambulance Board, Hartman Town Council, and as mayor for several years.
Dale is survived by his wife, Frances Simmons of the home; four children, Denise (Bob) Fazzino of Canon City, Colorado, Dennis (Jackie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, Dean (Jessie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, and Donna (David) Woodward of Port Orchard, Washington; eight grandchildren, Melissa Swope Woodward, Jeremy (Lindsey) Woodward, Dustin (Grace) Simmons, Kayla (Jason) Kirkpatrick, Dawn (Sean) Kelley, Sean (Krissy) Woodward, Gayle (Clay) Tatum, and Erin (Burley) Jerina; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Mary Rita) Simmons of Lamar, Colorado; sister, Ginger (Andy) Pittman of Arkansas; many other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Cook; and stepfather, Herschel Melton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holly Fire and Ambulance or the Town of Hartman in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, Colorado 81052. To leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz March 20, 1957 - July 27, 2022 A Funeral Service for Kris Jantz will be held at 9:30 a.m. MST, Friday, August 5, 2022, at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church in Syracuse, KS. Interment will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery. Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz passed... [More]
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips (Daniels), age 83, of The Villages, FL, passed away on July 19, 2022 with her daughter, Shawn Fanshier, by her side. Born January 25, 1939 on the family farm in Kinsley, KS. Barb was a life-long learner with a passion for following her dreams.... [More]
Justin Van Trussell
Justin Van Trussell passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022 at the age of 57 from a motorcycle accident near North Platte, Nebraska. He was born on September 22, 1964 in Germany the son of Ronald V. Trussell and Mona Rae (Alexander) Trussell. Justin began his life in Germany. They... [More]
Dalene Fecht Lewis
Dalene May (Fecht) Lewis passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the age of 71 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born on December 15, 1950 in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Albert Dale Fecht and Pauline (Finkenbinder) Fecht. Dalene was... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anthony Moldenhauer
- Walter Brownie Stimatze
- Judd Thomas Cherryholmes
- Beverly Lynn Musgrove
- Arthur Gene Coghill
- Dr. Craydon Dean McDonald
- Baxter Black
- Juan Carlos Cordon
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