For Those Not From the RRV

As background for those of you not from the Red River Valley, it was a miserable spring here. It was cold and wet, causing late planting. As July 4 rolled around, the Red River was once again above flood stage. As I write this, there is much need for a dry spell to get after weed control on the acres that are still alive. Then, to top it off, bean prices crashed just yesterday.

The June meeting for CoBank was in Boston. My wife, Peggy, came along and one afternoon went on a tour of the Witchcraft Museum in Salem.

January of 1692 was a tough winter in Salem, where a strong church following believed firmly in the presence of the Devil. There had been a smallpox epidemic nearby, and there was fear of warring tribes. Tensions were running high. When things go bad, we look for someone to blame. Before the Governor stepped in and put a stop to the witch trials, one person had been crushed to death, seven died in prison and 19 had been hung. Like I said, when things go bad, we look for someone to blame.

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I have a friend I have to say
Who likes his pickup truck
Without a single spot of dust
Or grease or mud or muck.
His pickup’s always shiny;
A bright spot on the road.
No matter if it’s empty
Or with a heavy load.
Now around my yard if I should ever
Wash my pickup truck,
Just as sure as anything,
Tomorrow I’d be stuck.
Clouds would gather, block the sun
Before the hood is dry.
The hose is barely cranked up
When rain falls from the sky.
So I asked, please, give me a break,
Don’t wash it for a day.
But what’s the use when down the road 
My neighbor just cut hay? 
So just like in years gone by, 
Our nature’s still the same.

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When things go bad, we look around For someone else to blame. v David Kragnes farms near Felton, Minn. A former board member and chairman of American Crystal Sugar Co., he currently serves on the CoBank Board of Directors.

Read our entire issue and back issues. Click here.