Category Archives: Farming

Bob seeks farming options

May 20, 2021Bob, Columns, Farmingsusanmanzke

In May 1988, I found Bob doing a lot of farm figuring in the middle of the night.

Bob’s work-life concerned farming 24/7. This night he was trying to make plans for spring. Everything looked good on paper, but…

Thinking about farming happened at night and during the day. Until planting was complete, Bob’s life centered on farming.

I did drive a tractor and worked up the ground before Bob planted. But it wouldn’t take much imagination to figure out that I handled a lot of our family activities.

Farm work

May 17, 2021Farmingsusanmanzke

Though Bob isn’t here to work, others continue to work on Sunnybook Farm.

The Maass crew had their hands full empting the fertilizer out of a spreader wagon. It had been in there three years. Bob had tried to put this fertilizer on the fields but had trouble, so he planted without spreading this starter.

Finally it is out of the wagon, though it was a chore.

I’m grateful it is not out where it can do some good for the soybeans that are being planted today.

Many thanks to the Maass family

A farming oops for Susan

May 14, 2021Columns, Farming, Susansusanmanzke

When it came to farming, there was a sharp learning curve getting me up-to-speed every spring. Each year I had to relearn which leaver to pull or push to get my field cultivator in and out of the ground.

Sometimes there were accidents. This one wasn’t my fault. Listen as I read from May 1990 to hear what happened.

I figure I’m lucky to be here. I could have been a statistic that day. Of course, after Bob’s pep talk I debated about getting back up in the driver’s seat. I did, but with trepidation.

There are all kinds of farm stories. This is just one.

FYI: Remember when you are driving country roads to have patience for those slow-moving farm machines. Farmers are just trying to get safely to their next field.

The naming of Sunnybook Farm

January 19, 2021Columns, Family, Farmingsusanmanzke

There was a beginning. It was 1985 when Bob and his dad broke up their farming partnership and we created ours.

This column gives an account of how we came up with the name Sunnybook Farm.

The name seemed odd in the beginning, but after so many years, everyone (or almost everyone) got used to it. It was Bob and I after all. Sunnybook Farm was the farm. Sunny our attitude, well, mostly. Finally, the book addressed my writing. The name is all-encompassing.

I hope that clears everything up. Just remember to leave out the R. Sunnybrook will lead you in the wrong direction.

Thankful throughout the year

November 27, 2020Columns, Farming, Memoriessusanmanzke

Being thankful after harvest is nice, but every day is a time to give thanks on the farm.

This 1981 column shows how farmers give thanks.

Often we pray for things we want and need. A change of weather, and asking for good health are two that come to mind. But every day there are things, little and big, for which we can offer prayers of thanks.

Right this minute, I’m thankful my cat Car-E is sleeping quietly on my lap, keeping me warm, and not walking across my keyboard.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person