Indy

I found this in my draft file and it may be a repeat but it's worth repeating, like this picture of Gleaner combines working in Kansas nearly 100 years ago..  We had the best time with God this morning at my Sunday morning group and at Mass.  It is was special.  I have so many special times in my life.

"It's time to pack up and head for Indy.   Indianapolis is such a wonderful city.  When I get west of it I am in real farm country.  Part of me doesn't want to go.  Can you believe that?  Yes, it's a lot of work and responsibility.  So, LuAnn, yes, even little ole me doesn't even want to leave home some days!

I wrote that Tuesday January 8 or whatever date that was.  I am glad I went because I got to be part of one powerful conference.  A record 1158 people showed up and 530 were newcomers!

It was so humbling to have young and old farmers look me up just to say I wanted to shake your hand.  After all the blogs and all my posts on NewAgTalk, I have stimulated a few farmers to think outside the box.  They really appreciate that, especially when they find a new farming method or find out why something isn't working on their farm.

Ed Harnish of Pennsylvania was one of those.  I looked at him and would have bet money we had met before.  He said we hadn't.  The neat thing was his son reads my words too and they discuss it as a team.  That is really cool.

I heard this time and again.  It is amazing how that conference has blossomed in 21 years to the premier NoTill Conference of the world.  I became a tiny part of that when a farmer from Illinois nominated me for NoTill Innovator of the Year and I was selected.  My life has never been the same.  All this work helped me to be asked to come to New Zealand to help teach the notill concept and refine it.  Now I get to come back again and visit Australia for the first time!

I can't say much of me wants to stay in Martinsville today!  Sable will be cozy at Cozy Pets in single digit weather next week and the house re-modelers and sheriffs will be taking over the farm while we are gone.  Thank you Lord for answered prayer!  Everyone did a good job!

Shannon always tells us she hates to see us go because the weather always goes to hell when we leave!  Some of our worst winter storms seems to come when we travel and the same thing happens to LuAnn while I am gone.

What can I share with you that will make you money or make your life easier this year?  What can you share with me?  I will be answering a few emails while we are gone but mostly we will be clear and free of any contacts.  That's the only way I can really appreciate travel and that is to focus on it.  So, if you have a question, write it down and work on it and maybe we can refine it in March.  Remember a year ago some of our best planting days were in March!

Blessings to you the minute your read this.  Just think, I may be reliving the picture in Chris's field when you read this!"

That all actually happened!

Ed Winkle