Monday, October 17, 2011

A Family Tradition: Meet the McFarlands



Growing up Barbara McFarland spent many of her autumn evenings carrying a sack of sandwiches and cookies(and maybe an apple or two) to her dad and uncle while they were in the field harvesting corn and soybeans. After moving back to the family farm nine months ago, she is seeing history repeat itself as she prepares sandwiches to take her husband as he hauls corn from the field to the grain bin.

Barbara – with her husband Kevin and daughter Jocelyn - recently moved to her family farm in Shelby County where Kevin is starting to farm in partnership with her dad and uncle. The family raises corn and soybeans on the farm that has been in Barbara’s family for more than 100 years.





Fall is a busy time on the farm as the combine usually starts rolling in the late morning after the dew is off the field. Often it’s late at night before Kevin finishes up in the field. Add to that Barbara’s full-time job off the farm and an active 1-year-old and you get a typical busy household.


What sets the McFarland household apart from other young families is that they are fortunate to live on the farm where Kevin works. They also live within a couple miles of a handful of family which means there is usually an extra car in the driveway and an extra niece or nephew playing in the yard.

So even if Kevin has to work late, Barbara and Jocelyn can walk out of the farmhouse, where Barbara’s dad grew up and her grandparents spent all of their 65 years together, and spendsome quality time with him in the tool shed or on the tractor before Jocelyn’s bath and bedtime.


As the combines continue to roll across Indiana corn and soybean fields harvesting crops that will go to feeding their families and their neighbors, Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council would like to honor all of the farm families –like the McFarlands – by giving away a $100 grocery gift card.

Please see the widget below to enter.



20 comments:

Nathan Miller said...

I would buy a huge batch of apples, and ingredients to make apple pie, and make two for our Halloween party this weekend, and then premake the rest, freeze them and then bring to the food kitchen the day before Thanksgiving, so that the extra money would put a smile on the face of a complete stranger.

Anonymous said...

Lovely family , the heart of America! I would purchase items to put in the freezer to prepare for a huge family gathering for the holidays! !
Kathleen Flook
K.flook68@gmail.com

Katie said...

I would save the $100 from my normal grocery budget for vacation. Saving for vacations always hard!

Unknown said...

This would be so great and help with my grocery budget! With a family of 5, the budget is tight. Lots of fruits, veggies and lean meats! :)

Jenn said...

We would host one heck of a family get together at our place if we won the gift card. And we'd be sure to celebrate my farm family while we were at it!

Michelle Helfers said...

With an extra $100 in the budget, we would do something fun as a family.

The Pauls said...

I would stock up on meat for the winter

David A said...

I would use the gift card for normal groceries which would include supporting our local farmers of Indiana buying fresh soy, corn, and wheat products!

I'd also save some to purchase my Thanksgiving meal this year as it will be the first time away from family during the holiday! :-/

The technology behind farm machinery, specifically the combines, always amazes me when I see them out in the fields working!

David Arnold

arnoldd.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @arnezzy
Facebook: facebook.com/arnezzy

Denise said...

My meat freezer is growing thin... I would restock my freezer with all kinds of meat!

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would use it towards buying items for a Thansgiving feast

Amy Allen said...

I would stock up on items for Thanksgiving, we host the family gathering every year for both sides of the family!

Amy Allen

Anonymous said...

I WOULD REFRESH MY HERBS AND SPICES AND PURCHAES SOME FRESH FRUITS AND VEGIES.

Linda B said...

This would help tremendously in buying the ingredients for our holiday menus!

linda4stuff@tx.rr.com

Thom C said...

I would purchase food for our family of 4 for a Holiday dinner and with the remaining money I would buy some can goods, etc... and donate to a locale foodbank.

smehary said...

I would stock up on meat. It is so expensive these days an old lady on Social Security usually finds other sources of protein.

Betsy said...

If I could win the gift card I would buy food for my family. I m on social security and work to bring in more money.

birrrd said...

Nice blog post! If I won I would use the money towards our Holiday Dinner. It gets pretty expensive with all the kids and grandkids, cousins etc getting together but it is totally worth it for the great family time spent together!

Mariah said...

I would use a $100 gift card to splurge alittle on the "good bread" my hubby loves...then make his sandwiches for the field with it and our home-grown ham. I'd also save alittle from the normal budget to start a savings account for our new family member--expected in April!

Lauren said...

I would love an extra $100 since I'll be hosting this year's Thanksgiving feast! My favorite holiday!

Becky J said...

It would come in handy with a family of 5 on a tight budget. I would stock up more on my pantry.