UNL Extension Educator,
Webster County
July 1, 2011 Edition
You will have to forgive me. I love this time of year, almost as much as the fall of the year. You can smell the fresh cut wheat in the air. Trucks full of grain are hauling the fruits of harvest to the bin at home or perhaps straight to the elevator. Combines are plying through the fields and even some tractors with balers behind are following, leaving big round straw monuments to the harvest and labor of the farmer. It started earlier this week south of the river and, of course, down into Kansas Driving down the highway or country roads you just knew that the hot weather was bringing the wheat to that bright yellow “harvesting” color. The entire area in southern Nebraska is now seeing the harvest.
It is true that there will be some late harvested fields, for sure after the Fourth of July and perhaps after county fair time. I too have seen the green strips throughout many of our wheat fields. This undoubtedly was the late heading wheat that had a late start – waiting for the moisture that we so desperately needed last fall and into early spring. When it did come, even fields that didn’t even look like it had wheat in it turned green. Some fields, and probably certain varieties, are just going to be a little later in maturing. It may make for some interesting harvest in some fields because there is a mix of ready to go wheat in with a good sprinkling of green wheat.
From what I have heard there are some pretty good yields, and some of those fields that were hit with disease late in the season perhaps don’t have the yield potential. I have heard a lot of producers say that they are hovering around the average yield. Of course that will change come the next session at the coffee shop, as everyone knows – “The first liar doesn’t have a chance.” I can’t wait to take the tally. I am betting that we may not have a bad wheat harvest after all.
The other thing that I love about this time of year is that it is County Fair time! Ever since I was a kid the county fair has been an object of fascination and wonder for me. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the County Fair! I would like to revisit something I put together a couple of years ago.
The Country in County Fair: Forget Ferris wheels and cotton candy. At the Webster County Fair, it's all about "just bein' country." The fair, harkens back to the good old days when fun meant family, animals and spending time outdoors. The hustle and bustle of daily life is replaced by the cacophony of bleating animals. Men in blue-jeans, sweat stained hats and boots gather in the hot sun to talk crops and the bids on cattle, hogs and sheep. Youngsters lounge in the shade of the animal pens, discussing how their steers fared in showmanship events.
Fairs are a unique summer and harvest celebrations that have been a part of the American scene since the early 1800's. They're the smells, fresh-cut wheat, candy apples, barnyard manure, roasting sausages, teenage perfume, and the sweat of laboring contestants - there's a distinct aroma that only fairs and festivals possess. And where else can you find a rodeo, beef, hogs, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and blue-ribbon pickles in one place. Fairs offer something for everyone.
Childhood memories lure us back to a fair each year where we admire lipstick-red tomatoes, can ride a carousel, eat cotton candy even if it sticks to our face. Fairs celebrate rural America, vegetables, farm animals, sewing and home cooking. Fairs from their earliest days have been yoked to the carnival culture with its sideshows and games of chance. We all like Fairs. They are an important part of America and Nebraska.
The Webster County fair is hardly atypical. These ventures always revolve around agriculture and family bonding. People involved with the 4-H and FFA work really hard to maintain the old-fashioned county fair and atmosphere. There is an effort to do things that people can relate to, but we try to maintain the basics of what life was 50 years ago. The Webster County fair, now in its second century in Bladen, relies mostly on livestock shows, rodeo and children's contests for entertainment.
As an old time 4-Her and FFA member, fair time is far more work than I remember as a kid. The 100° days seem hotter, and the snow cones and funnel cakes seem more expensive. Nonetheless, I've yet to attend any activity that boasts as much community support, creates so many hours of quality family time, and has a higher percentage of kids who understand the value of competition, sportsmanship, hard work and having fun. Fair time gives dads a chance to really connect with their kids – their efforts focused on helping them achieve their goals. Meanwhile, the moms just continue what they do all the time -- keep the family together, and sacrifice mightily for their kids. Both sets of grandparents will be attending to make it all the more enjoyable for the kids, and probably to watch their children experience what they lived through. I bet grandma and grandpa will arrive with the hope of feeling the same sense of pride they felt with their children. It doesn't really matter what your goals are, or the activity you choose to compete in. There's just something special about melding community, kids, animals, ag and fun into an annual event. I consider spending a couple of days at a county fair as a right of passage, a reinforcement of what makes America unique and special. Everywhere you look at the fair you'll see proud dads, super moms, great kids, and the support network of family and community that enables those kids to have an experience of a lifetime. And the neatest thing of all is that it's all in our own backyard. See you there!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: www.webster.unl.edu/home
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