I recently traveled to the “big island” Hawaii. The trip was the worst part. We ran through the Los Angeles airport like O.J. Simpson with only 18 minutes to make our connecting flight. Then my wife’s Green Bay Packers beat my Chicago Bears an hour before the plane landed at Read more
I feel like writing an article tonight that lets the reader sort through some statements to determine if they are fact, fiction or sarcasm. I recently listened to a speaker that stated we spend more money on diet related health care than we do on food. Think about that for Read more
The battle of the bulge has begun. This is not a history lesson of the famous WWII battle; I am referring to what the winter season and all the holidays do to our waistlines. With all the “special” mealtimes coming soon, let’s re-digest one of the most controversial topics among Read more
One time when I was young and goofing off, my dad threatened to make me sleep in the barn as punishment? As Thanksgiving approaches, I believe it is safe to say that most farmers have concluded the harvest of their 2025 crops. How much has farming changed in the last Read more
Did you know that farmers continue to harvest crops across the nation despite their being some kind of political situation called a “government shutdown”. Did you know that I have entered a stage in my life that I am calling semi-retirement; it is like a partial shutdown. That means I Read more
About 15 years ago the owner of this paper, Michael Cleary, wrote about his love for the fall season. I had not begun writing this weekly column at that time, but I felt compelled to write a rebuttal and he published it in the paper. That was perhaps the beginning Read more
I fulfilled a bucket list item; I visited a Caribbean island for the first time in my life and found out what most of the world already knew, do not go to the Caribbean in the summer unless you like it sultry. It is hot, very hot; each day it Read more
Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink. I had to use an internet search to refresh myself what famous piece of literature that quote is from. Water is the most essential element to life and for most farmers essential for their livelihood. Let’s review the growing season of Read more
It was the 122nd Will County Fair, and it was the first time all 5 Kiefner children had been to the fair together in close to 50 years. It all started when my dad’s dad, Conrad, immigrated from Germany and entered Ellis Island on Sept 11, 1906. Lets not tell Read more
Several years ago, when Dave Kestel and I were working a Farm Bureau program, an attendee commented about our energy and our apparent youthful playfulness. That was when I coined the phrase, “The first 50 years of childhood are the best.” Now at the age of 61, have I grown Read more