Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
“Years ago a dollar would buy something, it doesn’t amount to anything<br />
now,” he reÁected. “Everything’s been de-valued.”<br />
This makes farming dicult. And yet, he thinks it is worth it.<br />
“You’re just out there working for yourself and being your own boss,”<br />
he said.<br />
Marie said even when times were tough the couple never wanted to<br />
throw in the towel and try something easier.<br />
And now she sees her grandson, Trent, learning from their mistakes and<br />
making the Brewer farm operate even more smoothly thanks to technology.<br />
The couple agreed they are glad to have a grandson interested in carrying<br />
their torch.<br />
Elmo, though, said he hardly recognizes what Trent does now. What he<br />
learned in farming school in the mid-1900s has all changed.<br />
“What they told us then is obsolete now, you do it dierently,” he said.<br />
“You do everything dierent; it wouldn’t amount to anything now.”<br />
Now Elmo, who struggles with his vision, said he feeds the cats and tries<br />
to get his mower out.<br />
“There’s a lot of things I wish he could do that he used to do,” Marie<br />
added. “But of course he doesn’t see too well so I have to kind of see for<br />
him.”<br />
Elmo smiled and said his wife could “outwork” him and that when she<br />
leaves the house every Tuesday for her quilting group it is “the hardest<br />
day” for him. “I need a babysitter,” he laughed.<br />
(Above) Jerry Brewer<br />
introduces his<br />
grandson, Oliver, to<br />
one of the farm’s<br />
newest calves.<br />
(Left) Elmo and Marie<br />
Brewer have been<br />
married for 75 years.<br />
The couple also is active in the Golden Friends<br />
organization at their church. They also have a<br />
daughter who is 13 years older than Jerry.<br />
Jerry and his wife, Michelle, have worked on<br />
the farm for almost 30 years and still love it despite<br />
the long hours and stress associated with<br />
owning a business, particularly a farm where so<br />
much seems to be out of their control.<br />
“When I graduated in ‘73 it looked like a good<br />
opportunity,” Jerry said. “I had the experience<br />
already and really enjoyed it. Fast forward to<br />
my son Trent taking over. He grew up the same<br />
September/October <strong>2012</strong> • 36
Change language