All respect to your Dad, when he said, "That is all I ever wanted to do was Farm my whole life and now I'm 60 years old it looks like I might be able to." It made me smile and tear up a little, I am so grateful to those who work so hard to feed us. Thank you!
Zach, I really enjoy your channel I really like your dry humor, you should be proud of your wife Becky & your kids are awesome and actually are interested in farming which is great! Your Dad is great & has seen alot in his lifetime. Take care sorry about your friend Curt take
I've watched these a few times now. And have to say two things. Your dad is awesome he's clearly put huge amounts of work and hours into the farm. And second don't be shy do more of these kind of videos. I love history like this. I could listen for hours of my granddad tell me the history of our family and farm. And I would love to go back and pick his brain even more. So the more you can document like this. I'm sure you kids will love it later on.
I love to see the obvious mutual love and respect between you two. Your Dad is a really great person and his personal qualities have passed to you. I really enjoy seeing you two work together.
Great Interview, Everyone should interview their parents and grandparents on video as there is incredible wisdom locked away in their brains and they always appreciate a younger generation that is interested in where they have come from. Great job and great v blog.
1972 was when I went into the service. If I remember correctly it was the late 80's early 90's when we were starting to hear a lot of farms were being sold to Russia. They would hire the Amish to come in and care for it in the spring they would send in tractors and planters and do the planting and then in the fall bring in the Combines and harvest. Really enjoyed listening to your family history. It is great you are doing this, I am planning on doing something of the same thing for my grandkids seems so few anymore know little of nothing or care nothing about the family history. Thank you it was very nice remembering those days.
I enjoy listening to our "old timers" so much and I miss my personal "old timers" dearly. My grandfather got his start by bootlegging rough rice during WWII before he went to war. He made enough money hauling rice in a dump truck at night to start a dairy operation when he returned from Germany. Very cool to hear your families story and please pass on my appreciation to your father for taking the time to share it with all of us! If you are ever in South Louisiana I would love to show you around rice country down here!
Could you maybe talk about your philosophy on buying equipment? I heard in Part 1 that you don't buy new anymore...what do you look for when buying and what determines what piece of equipment to upgrade next? Any news on the new header/combine???
As I see it, and this is from a 20 yard view, and also my own experience. You never buy new on big depreciating assets, otherwise you are going to take it in the shorts. Farm implements by and large are depreciating assets, as well as automobiles or trucks. Unless you plan on running it until it burns to the ground, you never buy new or the extended warranty.
Been away from TH-cam the past month because of new job, but zac I love watching you interview your father. Please continue to include him in your farm history series. Looking forward to your spring planting videos..
I have really enjoyed these family history videos. Your Dad is awesome and he has an amazing memory... I can't say it enough...a thoroughly enjoyable and well done interview by both you and your Dad. Thanks for the videos and I hope you do more.
Your dad seems like a great man. With a lot of knowledge from each generation he has done very well for himself. My first question would be any regrets in his journey to start farming. With things changing all the time in the farming industry it only takes a rocket scientist to keep on top of things. Have a great day
@@TheFarmingLife I broke out on my own after 2015 was my father's last year after 36 years. I know my dad regrets on not buying farms in the 80's while he was working in the twin cities. I don't run the most current rigs but easy to work on and repair with age opens aftermarket options to buy or build. the hardest thing starting out is financals and have to be careful with your schedule F tax since that is what your farm history goes buy to be under 10 years and a "Beginning Farmer" definition.
Surprised you can even comment to these guys since they are not first generation farmers like you and as you claim unless your a first generation farmer you have had everything given to you.
Listening to this and the previous video brought back some interesting memories. Farming is a risky business. Weather, finances, health, politics and no control over prices scare most farmers. My parents were no different. They borrowed money to buy the farm and came home from the closing on December 7, 1941 to find the world at war. Scary, but they believed in "God We Trust". He never let them down. I'd love it if more people under stood this and reacted the same way. God Bless!
Great interview with your dad. I’m older than your dad so I remember those times in the seventies and eighties and how tough they were for everyone. Keep up the good work ethic that your father started and I think you will always succeed. You’re one lucky young man to get to work side by side with your dad. That’s worth a million bucks right there.
Hearing your dad talk with such ease about all the rough and tough years is reassuring for anyone who starts their own business in any field whatsoever, not only farming. The current startup trend kind of pushed the trend from being proud of any enterprise that bears your family name, but I guess there still are people (including me), who prefer staying with their business in good times and bad.
Hi Zack I did a video interview with my father seven years ago when he was 92 years old (he died 3 years later). I have been so pleased that I made the time to do it as there was so much to talk about. He was in Dunkirk at the start of the Second World War and had a few injuries (little finger on left hand shot off etc., etc.), also many tales about his exploits during that time. I wish I had recorded a second one as there was so much left unexplored. You will treasure these recordings and they will go into your family archives for the future generations to see. Well done it was a great idea. Regards Ivan UK
That was really interesting . My grandpa passed when I was 11 but we used to ride the back roads and talk for hours. I had the bus drop me off at the end of the field and set on the fender of a JD 730 wide frontend and tell him about my day .
An Awesome 2 video series here... I wanna thank you and your dad for sitin down with us and sharing some of the background of the history of your family farm... And the history of your family as well... Hope y'all are having a Great Week... From Southeast Missouri...
Wow Zach! That is a great story. You’ve inspired me to put together a written history of my Iowa family farm. Great-Great grandfather started farming in central Iowa in 1756. It’s our responsibility to ensure that future generations hear the history of these operations. Your dad is clearly a brilliant business manager and extremely hard worker. My thanks congratulations to your Dad for his success.! Captain Al from Tampa
Thank you for wanting to keep our youth interested in farming. We need more people like you. We gotta keep our youth interested in agriculture. Once farming dies out so will the human population. My family is strong into 4-H and FFA. My wife and I donate a lot of time and in helping within our 4-H and FFA community. We raise a lot of variety of farm animals to show our kids how to show and care them. I want to thank you again.
Your great grandfather Johnson was a very smart and patient man by all accounts. He had a lot of foresight not to burden your father with debt early on. A case of unselfishly making choices for the good of the generations to come. I think that’s one of the greatest lessons here. It seems to me he and his wife sacrificed a lot and waited many years for his grandson to come of age with no guarantee he would even come home to farm.
Loved to hear about the history. Your dad and his grandpa made some smart decisions on getting through the 80’s. I grew up during that time and my parents were able to keep the farm. It took my dad going on the road to work construction and leaving a wife a 12 year old son and a 22 year old son to run the farm. My oldest brother had a full time job so I was left to handle a lot around the farm during the day. Yes I was the 12 year old going out day to day doing a lot of field work. The farm is still in the family about an hr from you. Love the videos keep it up.
As a 61 year old, soon to be retired, it would be fun to work asking side for harvesting, or planting. Just to drive a tractor, or combine. You all might think it mundane, but to us city dwelling folks that would all be something new. As a young, 12-14 year old military brat, when Dad was stationed at the old Chanute AFB, I'd watch in awe as the farmers would work the farms right behind our on-base house. I'd watch as they'd harvest corn in October-November even in the middle of the night. I'd watch as they'd plant beans the next year in order to rotate crops. One thing we'd do, as brats, even real brats, we'd make trails in the corn rows, which for dinner reason would spell words. Bad words. We'd always deny it, of course, but those who saw the words knew better. Great job with the videos.
Loved this "series". Felt dumb watching all these videos and playing video games simulating farming, decided to try helping out a local farmer. Working with a wheel chair bound farmer that is a retired colonel that probably has more life experience then anyone on this channel. Thanks Millennial Farmer for providing a opportunity to re-energize farming. Getting my two year old in a tractor and hearing him say heifer is priceless.
Listening to your family's story is very interesting to me. I married my husband in 1981 and had our youngest in 1983 so along of parallels in our age and your parents. What a legacy you all have built. Proud heritage. ❤️
Finally got a chance to listen to the family history of your farm. I can relate to what your dad's struggles were having started a couple of years after he did. Really enjoyed it.
Loved it all. Grandpas are great; they teach us a lot. For instance, my paternal grandparents lived on a little family farm next to us and when I was about three years old he was teaching me all about chickens. As a matter of fact he had me out in his front yard with the free range chickens and had me picking up rooster eggs! He also tried to get me to ride the milk cow. Thank goodness my grandma caught us both times...but there was others! A good time for me but missed by my three brothers. Sweet memories for the most part.. Greg
I was really moved by this! I grew up on a farm over by Eagle Bend(160 acres). I wanted to buy that farm so bad, this was in the 70s and my Dad said there had been enough generations of poor. So I went a different direction but never let go of the dream. I’m now 73 and successfully retired. Stumbled across your channel a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. I live my dream now through you n your Dad. I would love to visit your operation some day. I now live on Lake Miltona. Thanks again for sharing your lives!!
I just watched this video for the 4th or 5th time and it is still incredible the amount of history in your family. This winter (2021) you and your dad should post another video where you answer questions and discuss future plans for the farm! Your dad is such an inspiration and such a presence in your videos! Cheers and all the best!
As a military brat I moved all over and landed in Illinois across the road from a dairy farm. Best years of my life and this talk really takes me back to that time. Farmers are awesome folks.
Really enjoyed this. My grandfather farmed & stuck it out in southwestern Saskatchewan in the 30's when his dad & siblings called it quits & headed to Alberta. My uncle eventually took it over & successfully farmed it till his retirement in 2006. Sadly I wasn't given the chance to farm myself but love the history behind my family & any other families farm!
Having grown up on a farm in Wisconsin, I really appreciated hearing your Family’s story as told by your Father. I have watched numerous videos of yours & enjoy how they remind me of my youth & growing up. This one in particular will stand out as one of my favorites. There’s always something to be said about History & one’s roots. You do an outstanding job of representing the farming culture, all the while bringing an entertaining nature to it. Kudo’s to you! Keep the dirt a rolling.
Actually my camera shut off automatically at around 25 minutes and it took 3 different times so I knew it had been a while! Didn't have to do much editing though so that was nice
Love that Onyx has this of his Grandpa explaining the family farm history. Divorce, family differences and politics took farming away from me and yes I miss it but then I watch these video's to remind me that the old way of farming is not missed. Millenial farming might provide the freedom to enjoy some family life, enjoy Zack. Well done. Thanks. I'm a fan.
outstanding job on the family history. You have a great Dad. My Grandfather farmed in northern Minnesota. And according to my Grandmother the only thing he raised was rocks and kids. She told him she would walk the railroad tracks all the way back to Illinois. So they moved to Prairie City Illinois and that is where I learned to love farming and farmers. It took me till I was 57 years old to get the family farm that my Dad grow up on. Best of luck JMS
I can see that you socialize a lot like your father. More men ought to pay attention to the confidence of their old man and carry it on. Good luck this season. Godbless
Thanks for the video kind sir. Your dad seems pretty cool. Enjoyed his smile about the woodchucks, and also how he really seemed to embrace the video by how he followed your lead by thanking folks for viewing at the end. Might have to change the channel to the Millennial and the Boomer...Best wish from north MO
My grandpa was also born in 1900. He passed away in 1992. So many memories and stories. He taught me so many things. Your dad is a great guy and I love the stories.
Zach thank you for talking your Dad into telling about the history of your farm. Was really enjoyable to hear and go back for all the things he saw and did and how bad it was back in the 80s. And the cool thing was as you could really tell that you're his son when you both laugh you can see it in your eyes and your face right then that was really neat to see!
Excellent! You’ll really enjoy these videos in 20 years. I wish I would’ve done something like this with my dad. Any siblings?. Sounds like your dad enjoyed doing them also.
I enjoyed your family history and your lil raccoon story lol In 1978 I moved out of the house at 17. Didnt get along with my Dad and thought I knew better. I lived in Milwaukee for 17 yrs, then to Port Washington in a farmhouse with 3 other guys. I was the only one the farmer hired and I gagged every morning on that dairy farm at 5am milking cows. The manure !!! The farmer would laugh and say, "city boy ainta gonna make it" But I did as my dream was to drive that brand new IH 986 tractor. (with 8track) I obviously started out on the D17 , then the backho etc. Then when I did start plowing etc 986 was 2nd to our new articulating tractor, very kool. First time back home I hugged my Dad ever since until an hour after he died at 90. Great seeing you and your Dad work together. Great memories made. sorry to ramble on
These videos are awesome man, love hearing about the history of farms, y’all seem to have done very well for yourselves, thanks for all the hard work and keep up the great videos man love what you’re doing from North Carolina! Y’all have an awesome operation and sounds like an outstanding family to work together is a great thing!
What an inspiring story. I’m new to farming (I’m 26 and work as an accountant) and I recently bought 40 acres and a few head of cattle with hopes of growing my operation to be much bigger and a full time job. It is inspiring to see the challenges your dad overcame to buy the farm and grow it over the years. Thank you for sharing this!
I'm 7-months older than your dad and was raised on a cattle/horse farm in upstate NY. I recognized all of the equipment references and vividly remember driving a 1971 GMC pickup full of hay bales out into the pasture during the winter months to feed the cattle. At the time, we had a Farmall M and a John Deere 2020 with a front end loader..seems like yesterday but I just revisited that farm a couple of weeks ago and I'm proud to say it's still a farm and hasn't succumbed to developers..
We just love Love LOVE these old storied, we could sit around the feed sheds, general store in a Rocking chair around the pot bellied stove listening to them all winter long. Both our Dad’s had farmed growing up, mine in North Carolina and the other in Ohio. Your Dad is a reall nice, personable man, like seeing him on here...,,😎👍✅
Your dad is a great man. You are lucky to have him with you and give you the foundation to build upon. Unfortunately He was not lucky. You should be grateful for that. I love the story it depicts me but with some changed details. So work hard and respect the old man as he deserves it. My son has started up with me after quitting his job as I had cancer and could no longer do much. i hope he proves equal to the task.
I love the ease of you two talking to eachother it's very watchable. I don't know you but i thank God for men like you who are willing to do what needs to be done. My father was just that and i only wish i could be a third of the man he was.
I understand, and appreciate what you do with these videos, I grew up on a farm, was on a Ford jubilee at age 8, but went into military at 17 for 6 years, upon getting out the farm was gone, not going to discuss why, so went another direction and spent my life driving and I working on semi's. Now at 75 years old, still work a 10 hour day so I appreciate the time and effort your family put into this
Jasonsenipor Yep he lied for Trump under oath, and is going to prison. Now he is telling the truth, so he can get out of prison and sell books. Pretty good incentive to be honest and not have any other charges. The P.o.S is the Trump voter, they have let their country down. Voting for a traitor, draft dodging bitch who talked down real soldiers like John McCain. Just wait...Trump will get what he deserves.
@@echutch So you think everyone that voted for Trump is a P. O.S. ???? Pull your hear out of your ass and face the truth. Everything you said is wrong and you need to turn off cnn because it's democrat propaganda 24/7!!!!!!
rich I hope you all are farming ground that is paid for. Your deal making hero is does not care about you...enjoy those crop prices, because they are going to get worse. Trump is failing the family farm.
Hearing your dad talk about the 80's was very interesting. I can recall how farming around western Canada changed dramatically during that decade. It's interesting to hear another perspective as to why and how widespread the changes were. Really cool seeing all the pictures as to how the farm changed over the years! Now that you have your new tractor it could possibly take over for the work the old Moline has been doing. It would make a great series getting a restoration! Maybe something for next winter.
Good talk. I grew up on a farm in northern Ohio, after graduating high school in the late 70's, my life choices took me away from farming. I have cousins that are still keeping the farming legacy alive in our family. We spent 11 years in Lakeville, MN with a large dairy, beef, hog and grain farming family in our back yard. Loved the smell of the freshly turned dirt in the spring and watching the yearly farm cycle, the fall harvest, literally in our back yard. Keep the videos coming, incredible insight into the farm life.
Thank you zack for getting your dad to do this,I found it great listening and very forthright.were do you and your dad see farming going in the future.?
That was even better than part one. I really enjoyed the part about your Dad talking about retiring in 25 years! I’m 67 and most of my contemporaries are retired or about to. I built 3 grain bins and bought a new combine in 2018. I told the electric company engineer that came to design the new electrical service for the bins that I have plans for the next 20 years and she said “Good luck with that!” Better to wear out than rust out, plus I’m just having too much fun. I’ve got a smile like Nate Johnson!!
What is your Dad's favorite piece of equipment that he has owned or ran, and yours? Hearing him talk about the Oliver 1755 reminded me of my Dad talking about his Oliver 1955 and how much he loved that tractor. Thanks for the great videos, keep farming.
Since I started watching this channel I have always liked your dad. He is a humble and kind man. Now I have a solid respect for him. I thought it was kinda funny that you guys mark up your farming as luck, but I can see it is your titanium clad determination to continue farming. Very inspirational.
2 questions. How do you keep your money and your dad's separate? or how do other farms do it. Nothing personal just like hours worked or land/ machines owned or is it just a simple percent? 2 how do you keep family from breaking up the farm in order to get there fair share? Your father said he paid the Aunt. Around here most farms are being bought by HUGE international Corp's or being cut up and sold as ranchets or worse subdivisions so the money can be split evenly between the kids. No one person could finance a farm and all the tools to work it. Thanks for the cool YT channel and interviewing your dad.
@hey man it is never that simple. What if you have 4 grown kids with families that all want to farm on the families plot, better have some great years or people are going hungry. Or the opposite ( my mother's family) no one wanted to take over the ranch. Or you have two kids, one wants to go to grad school and one that only wants to farm. do you sale a chunk to help pay for school and leave the rest to the other child? All very honest questions with no easy split. My in-laws are currently heading into such a situation not a farm but a profitable CNC machinist shop. 3 siblings one that currently runs the shop, one that takes care of Gramps, and one that is 9 hours south and comes to visit a few times a year. How to fairy split the pie? ( Gramps wants it split fair among this 3 kids but is currently not able to make choices) . Sorry for the poor Grammer I'm doing this between work stuff.
@@tysleight If you seriously need to figure this out, pm me. I am experienced in working/consulting on these issues and finding solutions people can live with. Recently did a machine shop.
@@tysleight I have some experience from similar fields. Split the shares in the company into two different sorts of shares (A-and B-shares). Give the A-shares to the person who runs the business and the B-shares to the two others. The A-shares should have a lot more voting power then the B-shares, meaning that the guy working there can control the business, but the other two still has a right to their part of the profits and can sell their shares if they want to without it affecting the day-to-day running of the business. Over time, the person working in the company tries to buy back as many shares as possible.
I'm 49 my grandpa used to own a grocery store in a small town in north west Illinois. Before he passed I was able to go thru his history. This was a great segment. One of my favorite.
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | เปิดใจ "อาจารย์ เบียร์ ฅนตื่นธรรม" นักสนทนาธรรมสายดุดัน!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vqaBI_mnoDk/mqdefault.jpg)
All respect to your Dad, when he said, "That is all I ever wanted to do was Farm my whole life and now I'm 60 years old it looks like I might be able to." It made me smile and tear up a little, I am so grateful to those who work so hard to feed us. Thank you!
Zach, I really enjoy your channel I really like your dry humor, you should be proud of your wife Becky & your kids are awesome and actually are interested in farming which is great! Your Dad is great & has seen alot in his lifetime. Take care sorry about your friend Curt take
Care we wish his family well!
You can say that again, Keima !!
Your dad is an amazing man. He is very likable, I enjoy seeing him on the channel.
Me too!
@@paulgolling7126 couldn't agree more !
I've watched these a few times now. And have to say two things.
Your dad is awesome he's clearly put huge amounts of work and hours into the farm. And second don't be shy do more of these kind of videos. I love history like this. I could listen for hours of my granddad tell me the history of our family and farm. And I would love to go back and pick his brain even more. So the more you can document like this. I'm sure you kids will love it later on.
Your dad is a great man with a great history. Thanks for sharing your story.
Really enjoyed your family history and your Dad seems really nice and easy going .
Can tell where Millennial gets his personality. His dad is awesome.
Dad is your typical MN farmer, easy going. You have to be to be a successful farmer.
I hope you fully appreciate how blessed you are to be able to work side by side with your father. It's an incredible gift.
Salt of the earth, backbone of America. Thanks for sharing your history through your Dad. Love the channel.
I love to see the obvious mutual love and respect between you two. Your Dad is a really great person and his personal qualities have passed to you. I really enjoy seeing you two work together.
Great Interview, Everyone should interview their parents and grandparents on video as there is incredible wisdom locked away in their brains and they always appreciate a younger generation that is interested in where they have come from. Great job and great v blog.
Gary McCord agree totally !
Yo
Always Great Info
-Totally Agrees
The best Father/Son family history lesson I have ever witnessed! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Your Dad is part of the fabric that makes America truly great, Hardwork, perserverance, thanks for sharing this, best video yet!
1972 was when I went into the service. If I remember correctly it was the late 80's early 90's when we were starting to hear a lot of farms were being sold to Russia. They would hire the Amish to come in and care for it in the spring they would send in tractors and planters and do the planting and then in the fall bring in the Combines and harvest. Really enjoyed listening to your family history. It is great you are doing this, I am planning on doing something of the same thing for my grandkids seems so few anymore know little of nothing or care nothing about the family history. Thank you it was very nice remembering those days.
I enjoy listening to our "old timers" so much and I miss my personal "old timers" dearly. My grandfather got his start by bootlegging rough rice during WWII before he went to war. He made enough money hauling rice in a dump truck at night to start a dairy operation when he returned from Germany. Very cool to hear your families story and please pass on my appreciation to your father for taking the time to share it with all of us! If you are ever in South Louisiana I would love to show you around rice country down here!
Better late than never having your dad on camera. He's earn the rewards of farming. Hope to see & hear him more.
Could you maybe talk about your philosophy on buying equipment? I heard in Part 1 that you don't buy new anymore...what do you look for when buying and what determines what piece of equipment to upgrade next? Any news on the new header/combine???
As I see it, and this is from a 20 yard view, and also my own experience. You never buy new on big depreciating assets, otherwise you are going to take it in the shorts. Farm implements by and large are depreciating assets, as well as automobiles or trucks. Unless you plan on running it until it burns to the ground, you never buy new or the extended warranty.
@@barrettgpeck As someone who is really looking into starting a farm, and being a 1st gen farmer... this is highly helpful.
Been away from TH-cam the past month because of new job, but zac I love watching you interview your father. Please continue to include him in your farm history series. Looking forward to your spring planting videos..
I have really enjoyed these family history videos. Your Dad is awesome and he has an amazing memory... I can't say it enough...a thoroughly enjoyable and well done interview by both you and your Dad. Thanks for the videos and I hope you do more.
♥
I wish I had a father like yours Zack, you are truly lucky to have Nate as your father. Thank you both for sharing the story of your farm❤
Your dad seems like a great man. With a lot of knowledge from each generation he has done very well for himself. My first question would be any regrets in his journey to start farming. With things changing all the time in the farming industry it only takes a rocket scientist to keep on top of things. Have a great day
The Farming Life you don't need to be a rocket scientist. I'm 13 and I'm farming two 10 acre fields by myself...
@@corywatland3417 that sounds great. I'm talking about technology
@@TheFarmingLife I broke out on my own after 2015 was my father's last year after 36 years. I know my dad regrets on not buying farms in the 80's while he was working in the twin cities. I don't run the most current rigs but easy to work on and repair with age opens aftermarket options to buy or build. the hardest thing starting out is financals and have to be careful with your schedule F tax since that is what your farm history goes buy to be under 10 years and a "Beginning Farmer" definition.
Surprised you can even comment to these guys since they are not first generation farmers like you and as you claim unless your a first generation farmer you have had everything given to you.
Listening to this and the previous video brought back some interesting memories. Farming is a risky business. Weather, finances, health, politics and no control over prices scare most farmers. My parents were no different. They borrowed money to buy the farm and came home from the closing on December 7, 1941 to find the world at war. Scary, but they believed in "God We Trust". He never let them down. I'd love it if more people under stood this and reacted the same way. God Bless!
Great interview with your dad. I’m older than your dad so I remember those times in the seventies and eighties and how tough they were for everyone. Keep up the good work ethic that your father started and I think you will always succeed. You’re one lucky young man to get to work side by side with your dad. That’s worth a million bucks right there.
Hearing your dad talk with such ease about all the rough and tough years is reassuring for anyone who starts their own business in any field whatsoever, not only farming. The current startup trend kind of pushed the trend from being proud of any enterprise that bears your family name, but I guess there still are people (including me), who prefer staying with their business in good times and bad.
Now these 2 Dad videos are a 'LIKE"---Good Job DAD----!!!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Makes me upset that I never did this with my grandpa. He used horses to farm. Many great stories. All are lost now. So glad you got your dad talking!
Zack you’re dad seems like a really nice person, thanks for the video, lots of good information!!!
Hi Zack
I did a video interview with my father seven years ago when he was 92 years old (he died 3 years later).
I have been so pleased that I made the time to do it as there was so much to talk about. He was in Dunkirk at the start of the Second World War and had a few injuries (little finger on left hand shot off etc., etc.), also many tales about his exploits during that time. I wish I had recorded a second one as there was so much left unexplored.
You will treasure these recordings and they will go into your family archives for the future generations to see.
Well done it was a great idea.
Regards Ivan
UK
This is some of the best TH-cam content ever. I'm about the same age as your dad and grew up on a farm in Alberta. I am really enjoying your videos.
That was really interesting . My grandpa passed when I was 11 but we used to ride the back roads and talk for hours. I had the bus drop me off at the end of the field and set on the fender of a JD 730 wide frontend and tell him about my day .
An Awesome 2 video series here...
I wanna thank you and your dad for sitin down with us and sharing some of the background of the history of your family farm...
And the history of your family as well...
Hope y'all are having a Great Week...
From Southeast Missouri...
Zach, you and your dad are a credit to the farming community. There's something to be said about " go big or stay home ".
Wow Zach! That is a great story. You’ve inspired me to put together a written history of my Iowa family farm. Great-Great grandfather started farming in central Iowa in 1756. It’s our responsibility to ensure that future generations hear the history of these operations. Your dad is clearly a brilliant business manager and extremely hard worker. My thanks congratulations to your Dad for his success.!
Captain Al from Tampa
Thank you for wanting to keep our youth interested in farming. We need more people like you. We gotta keep our youth interested in agriculture. Once farming dies out so will the human population. My family is strong into 4-H and FFA. My wife and I donate a lot of time and in helping within our 4-H and FFA community. We raise a lot of variety of farm animals to show our kids how to show and care them. I want to thank you again.
That is a "Great American Story". Thank you for doing this channel, it's good for non-country folk to see what's it's like to be an American farmer.
Your great grandfather Johnson was a very smart and patient man by all accounts. He had a lot of foresight not to burden your father with debt early on. A case of unselfishly making choices for the good of the generations to come. I think that’s one of the greatest lessons here. It seems to me he and his wife sacrificed a lot and waited many years for his grandson to come of age with no guarantee he would even come home to farm.
Loved to hear about the history. Your dad and his grandpa made some smart decisions on getting through the 80’s. I grew up during that time and my parents were able to keep the farm. It took my dad going on the road to work construction and leaving a wife a 12 year old son and a 22 year old son to run the farm. My oldest brother had a full time job so I was left to handle a lot around the farm during the day. Yes I was the 12 year old going out day to day doing a lot of field work. The farm is still in the family about an hr from you.
Love the videos keep it up.
farmboy971 m
As a 61 year old, soon to be retired, it would be fun to work asking side for harvesting, or planting. Just to drive a tractor, or combine. You all might think it mundane, but to us city dwelling folks that would all be something new.
As a young, 12-14 year old military brat, when Dad was stationed at the old Chanute AFB, I'd watch in awe as the farmers would work the farms right behind our on-base house. I'd watch as they'd harvest corn in October-November even in the middle of the night. I'd watch as they'd plant beans the next year in order to rotate crops.
One thing we'd do, as brats, even real brats, we'd make trails in the corn rows, which for dinner reason would spell words. Bad words. We'd always deny it, of course, but those who saw the words knew better.
Great job with the videos.
I could listen to you and your dad for hours. Very interesting and how that farm has changed over the years. Good job guys!
Loved this "series". Felt dumb watching all these videos and playing video games simulating farming, decided to try helping out a local farmer. Working with a wheel chair bound farmer that is a retired colonel that probably has more life experience then anyone on this channel. Thanks Millennial Farmer for providing a opportunity to re-energize farming. Getting my two year old in a tractor and hearing him say heifer is priceless.
God bless you and all of our American farmers .
Listening to your family's story is very interesting to me. I married my husband in 1981 and had our youngest in 1983 so along of parallels in our age and your parents. What a legacy you all have built. Proud heritage. ❤️
Finally got a chance to listen to the family history of your farm. I can relate to what your dad's struggles were having started a couple of years after he did. Really enjoyed it.
Loved it all. Grandpas are great; they teach us a lot. For instance, my paternal grandparents lived on a little family farm next to us and when I was about three years old he was teaching me all about chickens. As a matter of fact he had me out in his front yard with the free range chickens and had me picking up rooster eggs! He also tried to get me to ride the milk cow. Thank goodness my grandma caught us both times...but there was others! A good time for me but missed by my three brothers. Sweet memories for the most part.. Greg
I have enjoyed this series a lot. Your Dad has persevered through some tough times in agriculture, a testament to his character.
I was really moved by this! I grew up on a farm over by Eagle Bend(160 acres). I wanted to buy that farm so bad, this was in the 70s and my Dad said there had been enough generations of poor. So I went a different direction but never let go of the dream. I’m now 73 and successfully retired. Stumbled across your channel a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. I live my dream now through you n your Dad. I would love to visit your operation some day. I now live on Lake Miltona. Thanks again for sharing your lives!!
Really enjoyed having your dad on here. American dream.
I just watched this video for the 4th or 5th time and it is still incredible the amount of history in your family. This winter (2021) you and your dad should post another video where you answer questions and discuss future plans for the farm! Your dad is such an inspiration and such a presence in your videos! Cheers and all the best!
Loved this video series you did with your dad. I really enjoy hearing about the history of farms and equipment.
Thank goodness for the ice storm. Blessing in disguise. I wish our shop was as wide as your's.
It really was a blessing in disguise honestly. Which is crazy but sometimes things work out!
MN Millennial Farmer We had a wind storm go through in 2011 and got a new heated shop out of that deal as well!
As a military brat I moved all over and landed in Illinois across the road from a dairy farm. Best years of my life and this talk really takes me back to that time. Farmers are awesome folks.
I have watched this series 2 times and enjoyed both times. I grew up on a generational farm as well, much smaller, but enjoy the stories.
Really enjoyed this. My grandfather farmed & stuck it out in southwestern Saskatchewan in the 30's when his dad & siblings called it quits & headed to Alberta. My uncle eventually took it over & successfully farmed it till his retirement in 2006. Sadly I wasn't given the chance to farm myself but love the history behind my family & any other families farm!
Having grown up on a farm in Wisconsin, I really appreciated hearing your Family’s story as told by your Father. I have watched numerous videos of yours & enjoy how they remind me of my youth & growing up.
This one in particular will stand out as one of my favorites. There’s always something to be said about History & one’s roots.
You do an outstanding job of representing the farming culture, all the while bringing an entertaining nature to it.
Kudo’s to you! Keep the dirt a rolling.
You are a lucky young man. To have a father that shares his knowledge to his kids is priceless. Lost mine several years ago and I miss his guidance.
I bet when you got done filming this with your dad you probably didn’t realize it was 45 minutes. Great video
Its amazing how fast time will fly listening to the older generation tell you storys about their life
Actually my camera shut off automatically at around 25 minutes and it took 3 different times so I knew it had been a while! Didn't have to do much editing though so that was nice
You still using a g7 mine does that as well. M50 is where it’s at
Love that Onyx has this of his Grandpa explaining the family farm history. Divorce, family differences and politics took farming away from me and yes I miss it but then I watch these video's to remind me that the old way of farming is not missed. Millenial farming might provide the freedom to enjoy some family life, enjoy Zack. Well done. Thanks. I'm a fan.
Good job dad, come back and talk to us more often. Thanks
Ya what they said ^^^^^^^ up there👍👍
outstanding job on the family history. You have a great Dad. My Grandfather farmed in northern Minnesota. And according to my Grandmother the only thing he raised was rocks and kids. She told him she would walk the railroad tracks all the way back to Illinois. So they moved to Prairie City Illinois and that is where I learned to love farming and farmers. It took me till I was 57 years old to get the family farm that my Dad grow up on.
Best of luck JMS
Super interesting! Loved watching both parts and the interaction between you and Dad! Great video!
Glad i was able to see this two years later. Thank god for farmer's.
I can see that you socialize a lot like your father. More men ought to pay attention to the confidence of their old man and carry it on. Good luck this season.
Godbless
Enjoy the time with your dad.time is valuable.
Thanks for the video kind sir. Your dad seems pretty cool. Enjoyed his smile about the woodchucks, and also how he really seemed to embrace the video by how he followed your lead by thanking folks for viewing at the end. Might have to change the channel to the Millennial and the Boomer...Best wish from north MO
My grandpa was also born in 1900. He passed away in 1992. So many memories and stories. He taught me so many things. Your dad is a great guy and I love the stories.
Its awesome when you can look at the history of a farm like this great video.
Zach thank you for talking your Dad into telling about the history of your farm. Was really enjoyable to hear and go back for all the things he saw and did and how bad it was back in the 80s.
And the cool thing was as you could really tell that you're his son when you both laugh you can see it in your eyes and your face right then that was really neat to see!
Excellent! You’ll really enjoy these videos in 20 years. I wish I would’ve done something like this with my dad. Any siblings?. Sounds like your dad enjoyed doing them also.
I enjoyed your family history and your lil raccoon story lol In 1978 I moved out of the house at 17. Didnt get along with my Dad and thought I knew better. I lived in Milwaukee for 17 yrs, then to Port Washington in a farmhouse with 3 other guys. I was the only one the farmer hired and I gagged every morning on that dairy farm at 5am milking cows. The manure !!! The farmer would laugh and say, "city boy ainta gonna make it" But I did as my dream was to drive that brand new IH 986 tractor. (with 8track) I obviously started out on the D17 , then the backho etc. Then when I did start plowing etc 986 was 2nd to our new articulating tractor, very kool. First time back home I hugged my Dad ever since until an hour after he died at 90. Great seeing you and your Dad work together. Great memories made. sorry to ramble on
These videos are awesome man, love hearing about the history of farms, y’all seem to have done very well for yourselves, thanks for all the hard work and keep up the great videos man love what you’re doing from North Carolina! Y’all have an awesome operation and sounds like an outstanding family to work together is a great thing!
What an inspiring story. I’m new to farming (I’m 26 and work as an accountant) and I recently bought 40 acres and a few head of cattle with hopes of growing my operation to be much bigger and a full time job. It is inspiring to see the challenges your dad overcame to buy the farm and grow it over the years. Thank you for sharing this!
Great history of your family farm. Thanks for sharing.
I'm 7-months older than your dad and was raised on a cattle/horse farm in upstate NY. I recognized all of the equipment references and vividly remember driving a 1971 GMC pickup full of hay bales out into the pasture during the winter months to feed the cattle. At the time, we had a Farmall M and a John Deere 2020 with a front end loader..seems like yesterday but I just revisited that farm a couple of weeks ago and I'm proud to say it's still a farm and hasn't succumbed to developers..
Thanks to your dad and yourself for sharing!
We just love Love LOVE these old storied, we could sit around the feed sheds, general store in a
Rocking chair around the pot bellied stove listening to them all winter long. Both our Dad’s had farmed growing up, mine in North Carolina and the other in Ohio. Your Dad is a reall nice, personable man, like seeing him on here...,,😎👍✅
Really enjoyed these videos. You two seem close, and that is so important.
Your dad is a great man. You are lucky to have him with you and give you the foundation to build upon. Unfortunately He was not lucky. You should be grateful for that. I love the story it depicts me but with some changed details. So work hard and respect the old man as he deserves it. My son has started up with me after quitting his job as I had cancer and could no longer do much. i hope he proves equal to the task.
This was incredible. Thank you both for doing this.
Your Dad has gone it Right....plenty of hard work, Luck and good timing. His FFA days trained him to be a great farmer 👍😎
You are an inspiration to me and my family, keep up the great work!
ENJOYED, VERY much.....I had family that owned wheat farm and dairy near DOVER, OK......middle of nowhere !!!!
Loved this, very interesting to learn the history behind the farm. Thanks to you both for sharing it with us. 👍
I love the ease of you two talking to eachother it's very watchable. I don't know you but i thank God for men like you who are willing to do what needs to be done.
My father was just that and i only wish i could be a third of the man he was.
Thanks, for discussing the business and ownership issues. Great video.
I understand, and appreciate what you do with these videos, I grew up on a farm, was on a Ford jubilee at age 8, but went into military at 17 for 6 years, upon getting out the farm was gone, not going to discuss why, so went another direction and spent my life driving and I working on semi's. Now at 75 years old, still work a 10 hour day so I appreciate the time and effort your family put into this
Thanks for the support!
Pt. 1 & 2 excellent viewing ! Very worthwhile to have that content for the future generations of Mn Millennial farmers !
What a lovely man your dad is , a farmer through and through
So much better than listening to the Cohen stuff all over the tv.
Jasonsenipor
Yep he lied for Trump under oath, and is going to prison. Now he is telling the truth, so he can get out of prison and sell books. Pretty good incentive to be honest and not have any other charges. The P.o.S is the Trump voter, they have let their country down. Voting for a traitor, draft dodging bitch who talked down real soldiers like John McCain. Just wait...Trump will get what he deserves.
@@echutch you and hillary a real match along with Bill our hero
@@echutch So you think everyone that voted for Trump is a P. O.S. ???? Pull your hear out of your ass and face the truth. Everything you said is wrong and you need to turn off cnn because it's democrat propaganda 24/7!!!!!!
rich
I hope you all are farming ground that is paid for. Your deal making hero is does not care about you...enjoy those crop prices, because they are going to get worse. Trump is failing the family farm.
Poor baby troll echutch! it needs his mother to bring it a warm bottle of milk!! it's cranky.
Hearing your dad talk about the 80's was very interesting. I can recall how farming around western Canada changed dramatically during that decade. It's interesting to hear another perspective as to why and how widespread the changes were. Really cool seeing all the pictures as to how the farm changed over the years! Now that you have your new tractor it could possibly take over for the work the old Moline has been doing. It would make a great series getting a restoration! Maybe something for next winter.
I'd love to see a history of the equipment that your dad has had over the years.... btw I love your channel and enjoyed the history.
Good talk. I grew up on a farm in northern Ohio, after graduating high school in the late 70's, my life choices took me away from farming. I have cousins that are still keeping the farming legacy alive in our family. We spent 11 years in Lakeville, MN with a large dairy, beef, hog and grain farming family in our back yard. Loved the smell of the freshly turned dirt in the spring and watching the yearly farm cycle, the fall harvest, literally in our back yard. Keep the videos coming, incredible insight into the farm life.
Thank you zack for getting your dad to do this,I found it great listening and very forthright.were do you and your dad see farming going in the future.?
That was even better than part one. I really enjoyed the part about your Dad talking about retiring in 25 years! I’m 67 and most of my contemporaries are retired or about to. I built 3 grain bins and bought a new combine in 2018. I told the electric company engineer that came to design the new electrical service for the bins that I have plans for the next 20 years and she said “Good luck with that!” Better to wear out than rust out, plus I’m just having too much fun. I’ve got a smile like Nate Johnson!!
What is your Dad's favorite piece of equipment that he has owned or ran, and yours? Hearing him talk about the Oliver 1755 reminded me of my Dad talking about his Oliver 1955 and how much he loved that tractor. Thanks for the great videos, keep farming.
Since I started watching this channel I have always liked your dad. He is a humble and kind man. Now I have a solid respect for him. I thought it was kinda funny that you guys mark up your farming as luck, but I can see it is your titanium clad determination to continue farming. Very inspirational.
2 questions. How do you keep your money and your dad's separate? or how do other farms do it. Nothing personal just like hours worked or land/ machines owned or is it just a simple percent?
2 how do you keep family from breaking up the farm in order to get there fair share? Your father said he paid the Aunt. Around here most farms are being bought by HUGE international Corp's or being cut up and sold as ranchets or worse subdivisions so the money can be split evenly between the kids. No one person could finance a farm and all the tools to work it. Thanks for the cool YT channel and interviewing your dad.
Never Sleight great way to put the question I had in mind.
@hey man it is never that simple. What if you have 4 grown kids with families that all want to farm on the families plot, better have some great years or people are going hungry. Or the opposite ( my mother's family) no one wanted to take over the ranch. Or you have two kids, one wants to go to grad school and one that only wants to farm. do you sale a chunk to help pay for school and leave the rest to the other child? All very honest questions with no easy split.
My in-laws are currently heading into such a situation not a farm but a profitable CNC machinist shop. 3 siblings one that currently runs the shop, one that takes care of Gramps, and one that is 9 hours south and comes to visit a few times a year. How to fairy split the pie? ( Gramps wants it split fair among this 3 kids but is currently not able to make choices) . Sorry for the poor Grammer I'm doing this between work stuff.
@@tysleight If you seriously need to figure this out, pm me. I am experienced in working/consulting on these issues and finding solutions people can live with. Recently did a machine shop.
@@tysleight
I have some experience from similar fields.
Split the shares in the company into two different sorts of shares (A-and B-shares). Give the A-shares to the person who runs the business and the B-shares to the two others. The A-shares should have a lot more voting power then the B-shares, meaning that the guy working there can control the business, but the other two still has a right to their part of the profits and can sell their shares if they want to without it affecting the day-to-day running of the business. Over time, the person working in the company tries to buy back as many shares as possible.
Your Dad is 4 years older than me but listening to you guys talk reminds me of talking to my Grandfather
I really appreciate it
Your Dad is ofthe old stock. I like that.
I'm 49 my grandpa used to own a grocery store in a small town in north west Illinois. Before he passed I was able to go thru his history. This was a great segment. One of my favorite.
Real estate contracts are a good way to buy when you don't have enough equity for a bank loan. I've paid off two homes that way.
Came back too this a year and some odd months later.... I still thoroughly enjoyed this even the second time through the whole thing!!!!
when did you start getting the John Deere stuff and what was first and last ETC??
Also hows the farm sim 2019 map coming along??