Farmers sow and hope as commodity prices plummet
By Amy Bickel
Kansas Agland
NICKERSON – Geoffrey Burgess filled his grain drill with more seed as the sun faded on a fall afternoon – a new season on the farm is just beginning and all the hope is there.
First-generation farmers, he and his wife, Jenny, had just harvested their best wheat crop in their eight years of farming. Four months later, however, it is evident that elation has disappeared. As he plants the wheat he will harvest in June, he admits sometimes it is tough to be optimistic. Even when you’re a farmer.
Cash-strapped, with bills piling up, the Burgess’ sold their wheat over the elevator scale at harvest – taking the low prices instead of holding on for an uptick.
“It was the best growing season I ever had,” said Geoff, then added in his soft-spoken manner, “It’s hard to get excited.”
They are among the 2 percent of the population who make their living on the farm, said Jenny. But she also knows much of the rest of America – becoming more removed from their agricultural roots – have no idea the struggles occurring in the Farm Belt.
“It literally cost us to grow wheat this year,” said Jenny.
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