<strong>Farmer</strong> The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2021</strong> A Publication of Sycamore Media Hard work, lifelong lessons: From feeding livestock to helping with harvest and upkeep, chores are a way of life for kids growing up on farms Operating safely: Grain bin accidents are a risk in agriculture, but training and rescue efforts can mitigate the impact Man behind the meat: Grand Mound resident helping feed America ‘from gate to plate’ Moving the right direction: Local land prices increase in value above state average Mother Nature is haviNg her say <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> farmers have found themselves battling the elements more than ever the past few years, and it is changing the way they work. PLUS: Photo pages of your friends and neighbors! The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> <strong>Farmer</strong> ® Sycamore Media President: Trevis Mayfield Advertising: Trevis Mayfield, Brooke Taylor, Dean Upmann, and Bob Wendt Creative Director: Brooke Taylor Editorial Content: Lowell Carlson, Kelly Gerlach, Kellie Gregorich, Ashley Johnson, Nick Joos, Kris Koth, Beth Lamp, Nancy Mayfield, Trevis Mayfield, Sara Millhouse, Carter Mommsen, Jane Schmidt, Kevin E. Schmidt, Jenna Stevens Photography Content: Kelly Gerlach, Kellie Gregorich, Ashley Johnson, Nick Joos, Trevis Mayfield, Kevin E. Schmidt, Brooke Taylor Editors: Kelly Gerlach, Nancy Mayfield, Trevis Mayfield Published by: Sycamore Media 108 W. Quarry St., Maquoketa, IA 563-652-2441 Cover: Trevis Mayfield, Brooke Taylor The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> <strong>Farmer</strong> is a specialty publication of Sycamore Media Corp., 108 W. Quarry Street, Maquoketa, <strong>Iowa</strong> 52060, 563-652-2441 or 800-747-7377. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sycamore Media Corp. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sycamore Media Corp. cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sycamore Media Corp. cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine. view the entire magazine online eifarmer.com ® Message from the Publisher Losses have a way of reminding us of what’s important Our farming community has now lived with the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year, and it has left its mark on us. Early last year, when it hit meat packing plants hard, it roiled the livestock industry, leaving producers stranded with market-ready animals and nowhere for them to go. It has changed the way many farmers socialize with their friends and neighbors, and, because of our effort to lower our risk of spreading the disease, it has changed the way we have gone about producing this magazine. But nothing, however, has made it feel more real to me and our staff than the loss of Bob Larkey and David “Red” Phillips, both of whom died from complications of the virus. Both men made big contributions to <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong>’s agriculture community, and both had been featured in past issues of this magazine. Larkey, 76, the owner of Maquoketa Livestock Sales, had been creating markets for locally grown livestock for more than 40 years. During that time, his contributions to the community were many, including strong support of agriculture-oriented youth programs like 4-H and FFA. He was also a family Trevis Mayfield President, Sycamore Media Corp. man who was loved by his children and grandchildren. For me, he has the distinction of being one of the very first advertising customers of this magazine. I remember explaining the concept of the magazine to him before it existed, and graciously, through the window of his SUV, he said he’d give it a try. I’m sure many will miss his big personality and his distinct, booming voice. Phillips, 72, also had an early connection to this magazine and a holds a specific distinction in my mind. The lifelong Zwingle farmer and his wife, Karen, were featured in an ad for the Jackson County Regional Health Center in 2018, and despite having now taken hundreds of photos for this magazine, I remember that moment clearly, and it was Karen who made it memorable. She gave us a statement for the ad about how much she appreciated the hospital’s successful efforts years before to save her husband’s life after a heart attack. While she was talking with us, she told us how much she loved her husband, (Top) David “Red” Phillps and his wife Karen pose for a photo for the Jackson County Regional Health Center’s ad in a past issue of this magazine. Photo by Trevis Mayfield (Above) Bob Larkey, owner of Maquoketa Livestock Sales, was honored at the 2020 Jackson County 4-H Recognition Banquet for being inducted into the <strong>Iowa</strong> 4-H Hall of Fame. Submitted by Amber Matthiesen grabbed him with the enthusiasm of a teenager and gave him a tight hug, which was captured in the photograph that this magazine published. Both of these men will be remembered and missed, and thinking of them reminds us here at the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> <strong>Farmer</strong> how much we appreciate the relationships we have with all of you. In closing and as usual, I want to thank all of our sources, contributors, and especially our advertisers who make this community-oriented magazine possible. Thanks again, and we’ll see you in the fall. Sincerely, Trevis Mayfield, Sycamore Media president 10 <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Iowa</strong> <strong>Farmer</strong> | <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2021</strong> eifarmer.com
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