The outside rows of Kyle Samp's cornfields look rough — they don't have good color and the bottom leaves are curled and brown. A few rows in, though, the corn is lush and green, which gives the impression it was able to weather the drought. But as Samp peels back the husks on the ears, it’s evident the drought did extensive damage. There might be a few kernels on an year, but for the most part, it didn't pollinate.
The rapid reduction in the number of farmers is a result of government efforts to raise money (since the government owns the land), achieve modest economies of scale for added productivity and add about 5% more tillable acres by removing farmhouses.
While her social media shows glimpses of life from the tractor seat, it’s not the view Mary Pat Sass envisioned even a decade ago. But through humor and candor, she's now an inspiration to others.
A wheelchair didn’t stop Joel from showing a pig at the state fair. He was one of many kids with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who made a debut in the show ring with assistance from long-time exhibitor Miley Caldwell.