(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Kuboushek)
Rural Route 2: Harvest and heroes
October 31, 2025 | Bethany Baratta
November is a breath — sometimes long, sometimes short — that comes between harvest and winter. It's the month of gratitude, when we celebrate Thanksgiving and honor Veterans Day. It's the silent prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings of the harvest, the safety of the season, and the gifts that will soon lead us into the new year.
More than this month of the year, it was my upbringing on our family's multigenerational farm that taught me the true meaning of gratitude. I was too young to grasp the markets or the pressure my parents faced during the Farm Crisis. But I know it was the kindness of friends and neighbors — and a few thousand more prayers — that kept the spirit alive in our farming community.
As I'm writing this, there are some feelings of uneasiness out in farm country, and understandably so. The challenges of markets and uncertainty weigh heavy on many shoulders. Yet, the spirit of community and perseverance remains strong.
Gratitude is more than a November sentiment; it's a practice lived year-round, especially when the path ahead feels uncertain. It's possible to feel stressed and also grateful.
On Nov. 11, we honor those who have served, are serving and will serve in the military. It's a reminder of the service and the sacrifice paid; it's a debt we can't fully repay. Veterans Day is a single day set aside to honor our veterans, but our appreciation lasts throughout the year. I think of my dad, my grandfather, my grandfather-in-law, and a host of uncles who answered the call. Among them was my great uncle, who survived as a prisoner of war during World War II. Like Jack Boyer, whom you'll learn about in this issue, these men were plucked from their career paths to serve our nation.
As we gather around the table for Thanksgiving this month, let's remember those who work and raise the gifts on our plates. Let's also appreciate the 305,753 U.S. farmers — or 9% — who are also veterans. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service 2022 Census of Agriculture, more than 289,000 farms, or about 15% of all U.S. farms, include a producer with past or current military service.
November is the pause — to reflect and give thanks — not only for the fruits of the harvest, but for the sacrifices of our veterans, and the strength in our communities. That shared resilience among farmers and veterans is a source of deep respect and gratitude for me. And it's a reminder of the strength that carries us through to the next season.
Written by Bethany Baratta.
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