My Nickel’s Worth

A few years ago, there was an ad for Land O’Lakes Butter.  A woman’s voice read the famous poem, “The Farmer,” by Amelia Barr.  Every time I see this ad, I think about my maternal grandfather.  Papa Lewis, as I call him, has been farming since he was five years old. His dad turned him loose plowing on a tractor when he was seven!   And although he has been farming for 70 years, Papa embraces progress.

Papa is in his 70s now, and he still farms. He loves to plant cotton and wheat and watch it grow.    He gets excited talking about the GPS on his tractor or how new technology helps with his crops. He uses the internet to check markets, order parts, or search for a new JD Sprayer online.  He even uses technology to check and see how much rain has fallen on certain fields. Papa has adjusted his way of farming and embraces new ideas.

His hands are strong and weathered, and I have always wanted to be just like him.  He can weld anything, fix anything, and knows everything about farm machinery, tools and travel; he loves to plan trips and can use Google Earth and Google Maps better than me!  He is the best at using technology to his advantage.  Papa takes a vacation in late summer when wheat harvest has ended and the cotton is planted.  He reads reviews on Travelocity, finds great hotels, and he plans amazing trips for his kids and grandkids!  He is a unique combination of farmer and tourist.  His love of technology has kept him young and active.

Papa works hard every day, but he never works on Sunday.  You will find him in church, serving others and always wanting to help others live out their faith like he does.   

 Look up that Land O’ Lakes Butter ad on Youtube.  It’s easy to find.  There are still a few farmers around who “feed us all,” but the farmer who has impacted my life is my grandfather.  I am so thankful for the way he embraces progress, loves his family and lives out his faith.  I have been greatly blessed by him.