10.28

Today was such a fun day! First thing first- my husband took the day off work- that NEVER happens, second we let the kids play hookie from school, third- I actually got dressed and put make up on (I’ve been embracing the farm hair don’t care motto) and finally- we got to go out of town for the day- that seems to rarely happen any more!

Today our family farm was awarded the Heritage Award. This award goes to Iowa family farms that have remained in the same family for 150 years. It normally is given during the Iowa State Fair, in the horrible heat after a day of eating delicious fair foods. Covid changed that for us. Each family was seated apart from one another and we all wore masks. It was great hearing the family history that went with each farm. They discussed the price of grain back then, the price of land and all the different trials they went through the past 100-150 years.

This farm was purchased from a Civil War Widow on July 10, 1869 by Lars and Bodil. Lars and Bodil, along with their two children Rasmus and Sophie traveled to America from Sjoland, Denmark this same year and ended up settling here. This area is rich in Danish heritage so I’m sure they found some familiar faces here.

Over next 150 years this land has had births, loss, love, tragedy, memories made and blood/sweat/tears spilled over the land. A year like 2020 can be frustrating, but when you think of all the trials and tribulations that has went on before and it survived- it does bring some encouragement.