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Article Comments
Comments for Stories From Old Farmer
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Titan wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Very touching Kim! We on the TTales board appreciate your rememberance of "Old Farmer".
    Orrin C. Stevens wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Hope some thoughts R given to collecting these into book form, this type of precious history gets very rare in a hurry. I have an old husking peg to remember my "Old Farmer" by Dave Atwater was born in 1888, worked for 4 generations of my family, taught me to drive a tractor and turn a wrench, was my "Grandfather" in life but not related ; taught me to rake hay w/ a hand & dump rakes make a hay cock, feed horses, plant taters in the corn & roast 'em while huskin' in the sharp fall wind sitting inside the corn shocks for warmth. Thanks for these great stories!
    Dsl wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Very well done Kim. Dale Jensen would be honoured, I'm sure. I will never forget the way all the Talers ralleyed in concern for him, and freely spoke of their feelings. There was a sense of oneness there, amid the knowledge of coming loss. We can keep his memory alive here. Nobody truly dies when they are remembered.
    thelma wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Thanks Kim. Dale would be pleased, I'm sure.
    M. JENSON wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Your introduction to this article brought a tear to my eye as I read it. In his story I felt some of the same feelings that he must have felt, almost a kinship with "Old Farmer". I very much enjoyed this first story from "Old Farmer" and look forward to reading them all as they appear in your magazine. Thanks, M.J.
    Jim in N M wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • Ya know ya just can never have enough "Old Farmers" to teach us youngsters how it was really done in the "old" days. Great tribute Kim---
    Brian wrote on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 (PST):
  • I read the messages of Old Farmer this past year and was saddened to hear of his passing. A very moving tribute to someone who lived his life feeding the world. My condolences to his family and friends.
    SLB wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Nothing better than reading the stories these pioneers tell. Keep them coming. As I read this article this AM. I am reminded of my early days around my dad's business. He was the John Deere dealer in Wheatland, Wyoming from 1949 until 1969. I was born into this business and left it for Viet Nam in 1968. He sold the business in 1969, but has kept in touch with the area. My dad was born in Dodge Center, Minnesota in 1916 and moved to Wyoming in 1927. He drove a truck all the way, following my Grandfather who drove the family car (my grandmother never drove). I have many of his stories on tape (both audio and video). In addition, my maternal grandparents were immigrants from Russia that had farmed there. I have an audio tape from my grandfather telling of farming in Russia at the turn of the century. (He once got caught in a hailstorm with a team of mules, both mules were killed in the panic. He covered himself with a scoop shovel and survived. He ended up with broken fingers and large bruses.) Someday when the time allows I will transcribe stories from both sides of the family and posting them.
    Tyler Woods wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Kim, Please consider forming this article series into a published work. With pictures from Dale's son and these stories, a publisher would jump at the chance to produce another great tractor book. I can see these stories wrapped around a phot journal of the history of American farming. What a tribute to Dale. Thanks for what you're doing.
    Jim from Stonepile wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • After reading the above article and wishing I was here when Mr Jensen was alive to enjoy his stories first hand, I got to thinking of my dad's passing in 1992. Three days before he passed on, I belted the JD A to the hammermill to grind feed for the cattle. Knowing this would probably be the last sound of work being done that he would hear, my boys and I really worked that old tractor! Later he told me how much he enjoyed listening to it work. Later that afternoon, He slipped into a coma, and never woke up again.
    Wolf wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Thanks for keeping the memories alive, Kim. We'll all miss him.
    The Red wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Very touching Kim. Excellent job of making it more readable but leaving is just like Dale typed it. You can tell his posts were written exactly how he would have told it. If you can get DJ to send some pictures, I think a picture in each of his articles would be a plus.
    MrGadget wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • All choked up (sniff!)...can't type...
    Mike B. wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • I for one will miss "Old Farmer".He was a very smart man and one with great"Horse sence" also. He reminded me of my own granddad and dad....Rest in Peace Old Farmer,and plow them fields in the sky......................................
    john d wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Thank you.
    LESTER BRUBAKER wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • THE STORY FROM OLD FARMER AND HIS LAST RIDE ON THE OLD DEERE REMINDS ME OF A FEELING I EXPERIENCED THIS SUMMER. AT THE AGE OF SIXTY-THREE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE A 1948 FARMALL-H PULLING A POWERTAKE-OFF HAYBALER. MY RACED AND MY EYES FILLED WITH TEARS AS I FELT THE JERKY RHYTHM OF THE PLUNGER TUGGING ON THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE TRACTOR. IT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF MY YOUTH WORKING ON THE FAMILY FARM IN PENNSYLVANIA IN THE 1940-1959 ERA. EXCELLENT ARTICLE
    Dug G. wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • beautiful.
    Jeff wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • I think this article is great. I'm looking forward to the "Stories From Old Farmer" series in the future issues of Yesterday's Tractor. Although I didn't grow up on a farm, I spent a lot of time on my cousin's dairy farm. (and still do) Stories of old time farms and farmers remind me of all the good times I've had and of his Grandfather's stories. And if I'm real lucky, I'll be bringing home and restoring a late 40's Case SC. Thanks for offering such a good magazine. Keep up the good work.
    Z-BAR wrote on Wednesday, December 01, 1999 (PST):
  • Thanks Kim, I always enjoyed reading Old Farmers posts.
    Chet wrote on Thursday, December 02, 1999 (PST):
  • Please do continue with these stories. There is too much to be lost.
    Mark Maschmeyer wrote on Friday, December 03, 1999 (PST):
  • It brings back of my first John Deere a 1951 "G" sitting in a barn waiting for me to work on it and get it started. I was so excited when it did start that on a cold November day I drove that "G" up and down the road and caught nuemonia on it. I wouldn't have traded that moment of hearing that pop-pop for the world! Strange how something you love always seems to make you SICK!
    DAN PENLEY(KEDDANO) wrote on Sunday, December 05, 1999 (PST):
  • THANKS KIM,KEEP THEM COM'IN.IT'S A SHAME AS TIME GOES ON WE LOSE MORE AND MORE OF THE SIMPLE TIMES THAT GOOD OLD WORK GAVE THIS GREAT COUNTRY,THANKS AGAIN,DAN
    joe b wrote on Tuesday, December 07, 1999 (PST):
  • Your story remindes me of a neighbor and close friend of our family- mr. Francis Sexton. As a youth him and my father would often exchange work- particularly silo filling. Francis always pulled the chopper with his McCormick-Deering W-9 and we used a Farmall H on the belt to run the blower. I also worked for Francis during the year helping with various chores. Francis often used his team of Percherons to mow hay and pull the manure spreader. Working for him was like stepping back into the 1950's. i have many fond tales from our own farm and his. I will share them in the future. If anyone wants to, feel free to E-mail me.
    Doug B. wrote on Friday, December 10, 1999 (PST):
  • Enjoyed the story very much. I count myself among the lucky to have had an ole' farmer that taught me many things. My grandfather crossed the Red River from Texas into then Oklahoma territory in 1904 in a covered wagon as a child. His family was coming to homestead near the farm I still call home. I have his handwritten version of this tale and others from his life as a farmer who saw his trade go from horse-power to diesel. He taught me how to moldboard plow when I was 10 years old. I was driving a mighty 1964 John Deere 4020 (in 1972). Good times, great memories. He is gone 9 years this past September, but I will never forget him.
    Rick Nikolich (GeneD14) wrote on Saturday, December 11, 1999 (PST):
  • Please print more of these stories! They remind me alot of my late Grandfather. He told many stories about farming with horses and old tractors but they were never written down. These are priceless!!! Thanks for sharing them.
    Theman wrote on Monday, December 13, 1999 (PST):
  • Thanks Kim for keeping these posts. The first one I read was, unfortunately, his last. I look forward to future articles. Stan Kindig
    John N. Cook wrote on Saturday, December 18, 1999 (PST):
  • You'll have to forgive me. I new around here. From the content of some of the earlier comments to "Stories from Old Farmer", it seems that many others have been around these parts for some time. I stumbled onto your web-page by exploring a link to N-Series. From this article alone, I'm glad I did. The description of Old Farmer immediately reminded me of my grandfather, Noble Hendrich, who died 7 years ago in his mid nineties. He farmed 60+ acres in southern Indiana for most of his years. Even though he lived his final years in the home and care of my mother, I'll always associate my memories of him on his farm. He taught me to drive his tractor from his lap before my feet could reach the peddles. Through Old Farmers' story, I could visualize Grandpa once again making that all-to-familiar trip out the back of the house, pulling up the suspenders of his bibs, heading for the tractor barn. Thank you for facilitating this recollection. From the comments posted I can tell that Old Farmer was one of those great people in life that you wish you could have known. Noble was quite a character, too.
    MJD wrote on Friday, December 24, 1999 (PST):
  • What a great story ! My dad is 86 and retired, but still drives out to the farm from his apt. 3 miles in town. We rent our place but have some IH Farmalls of the 1950's and 60's we farmed with. Homes and buildings still on the place we homesteaded in 1958. I try to keep him busy on my days off from my state work job, and I believe if you keep active and into something of interest, be it old tractors , pickups, and memories, this all helps the older generation feel they are still an active member in the family and community. I do know they get lonely if nothing at all is done and family members don't try to keep contact with the older family members. Thanks for a great site. I wish all older people could see the great advantage of having a computer and the ability to get on sites such as yours.....what a marvelous tool it is ! A very Happy Holiday to you all on this Christmas eve ! MJD
    Greg Ballantyne wrote on Friday, December 24, 1999 (PST):
  • Keep' em coming, I'm not too proud to wipe my eyes a little bit.
    Dave Hollen wrote on Thursday, January 13, 2000 (PST):
  • Dale certainly sounds like he was the kind of man we all should have had the pleasure of knowing. I live in Rural Central Pennsylvania, and have had many conversations with older farmers such as Mr. Jensen. These fellows are truly the salt of the earth and our lives are much richer for having known them. Thanks for posting Dale's stories. Dave
    Aaron Maunumaki wrote on Friday, January 14, 2000 (PST):
  • Old Farmer,we'll miss you dearly. Good Bye friend;(
    speed bump wrote on Tuesday, July 25, 2000 (PDT):
  • Love these stories .our fondest memories in life seem to be of the days of our hardest work. lets teach our kids of these old farmers so they can love them too and have a good life and learn what these people have shone us.
    rob nickel wrote on Monday, July 08, 2002 (PDT):
  • This is the first of Old Farmers stories that I've read but I can tell I'll be enjoying each and every one that this decent hard working family man wrote. Already he reminds me so much of my own dearly departed father that I miss so often, and it's kind of nice finding stories like old farmers to help keep memmories of Dad alive? Thank you for posting these tales of a lifestyle too soon to be forgotten Yesterdays Tractors and for the fine work you've done building this site.
    Kerry Florence wrote on Saturday, November 30, 2002 (PST):
  • The Old Farmer says it all. There's no better life
    Jim wrote on Thursday, May 01, 2003 (PDT):
  • Keep it up. Not many of the old timers that looked at the back end of a horse or mule left. We don't know how good we have it until you have plowed with an animal.
    Steve Mason wrote on Thursday, May 01, 2003 (PDT):
  • What a remakarble man! This story just brought me to tears. This story could have been about my own Grandpa who farmed in NW Iowa, also a JD man. I am so glad we can share the stories and so sad to see the old timers and the old ways fading. Old farmers are my heroes. To see what they have seen, to work as hard as they worked, to know the joys and sorrows of farming and raising a family, truly remarkable people who we take for granted.
    John S. Erwin Jr. Williamson N.Y. wrote on Thursday, May 01, 2003 (PDT):
  • It brings back memories of my dad and uncle telling stories about farming when I was a kid very very good
    Bill wrote on Saturday, July 12, 2003 (PDT):
  • Enjoy the stories. Guess what makes it so enjoyable is being able to relate on a personal basis. I'm not too sure we are here for our own enjoyment, but when we do enjoy the memories it makes a mighty big plus!
    Lou wrote on Monday, September 22, 2003 (PDT):
  • Excellent! Please print more!!!
    Badger wrote on Monday, September 22, 2003 (PDT):
  • Just awesome !
    RED TAIL HAWK ! wrote on Monday, September 22, 2003 (PDT):
  • Excellent we should always keep the past alive, keep up the great work. Thanks Kim
    ROBERT KROLCZYK wrote on Monday, September 22, 2003 (PDT):
  • JUST LIKE I WAS THERE .
    Matt in WA wrote on Sunday, August 01, 2004 (PDT):
  • What a remarkable man. Men like this and their families have been what made America great for decades. Their sense of work ethic, commitment and family values serve us all well, even in the 21st century. Please post more stories, as people like this have so much to teach us younger folks. Thanks Kim.
    danct wrote on Sunday, August 01, 2004 (PDT):
  • what a great way to finish a full life ,he did it his way. Danny
    Tim wrote on Sunday, August 01, 2004 (PDT):
  • I love to read the stories of the older farmers and how life was for them growing up. I love history alot and by reading the stories i can see how life was back then
    Chuck M. wrote on Wednesday, January 05, 2005 (PST):
  • Kim, Thank You for sharing precious true stories with us, i can't wait to read more.
    Jim Broughton wrote on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 (PDT):
  • I read this article with tears in my eyes,you see, I'm almost 75 myself, and like "old farmer" I think one of the sweetest sounds ever heard is the "plip-plip-plip of a two banger John Deere, sitting there,idling, waiting to work ! Thanks for the memories. Jim Broughton
    Kirk J, Hoefer wrote on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 (PDT):
  • Hay Guiz, I have been a frequent reader of Y T for about 3 years. You-all have the neatest Nack for keeping farming still young. By interjecting these teezing tasty morsels of history. When I read these super little tid bits and get to the end. the one thing that keeps going through my mind is "oh gosh thats the end, is'nt there more? OH MAN!" The way you folks captured The Farmers narritive, really wants me to hear more. I think your idea to keep inserting more of these little morsels is great. In fact I need to share that I was surfin the net one day, and heard other people talking about how neat tractors are. I found this great website (YTMAG.COM) and I've been hooked. ever since. Keep up the great job you all. Kirk J,Hoefer Olalla Washington
    wayne Sodam wrote on Thursday, November 03, 2005 (PST):
  • Kim, Excellent Idea for a forum. In a few tears(hopfully) I can add some words of wisdom. W
    virgil gordon wrote on Sunday, February 05, 2006 (PST):
  • i like reading these memories of old farmers . i wish i knew some of my granddads both of them farmered for many years one of best ones of my dad's was of mowing hay with horses when unkown to him he mowed into anest of skunks . he soon found out the skunks were there as the horses ran away with he and the hay mower . he had to rise the cutter bar to go home and got the skunk smell all over him he didn't help milk that night took a bath in kerosene or coal oil instead
    Cecil Aman wrote on Sunday, February 05, 2006 (PST):
  • Thanks for the very interesting article. Great human interest. My roots are very deep in a small farm in North Carolina. My father passed in 1970, and I am still using the John Deere 40-U he left behind. I hope so much that I can catch the remainder of the stories.
    Brad-MN wrote on Sunday, February 05, 2006 (PST):
  • That was a great story...has gotten me thinking about how my Grandfather spoke about working the land as he was growing up. He spoke fondly of farming and putting in an honest days work, every day of his life right up until he could no longer get out of bed because his Cancer had taken over his body. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these stories.
    Mike Cummings wrote on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 (PDT):
  • I just read the old farmer story and it gave me a chill.The "old farmer" is what made this country what it is today.From his days in the service to his long days on his John Deeres.The tractors we can preserve and his memories we cherish and share.I wish I had meant "old farmer".I'll bet he has some stories to share with his maker.
    Tyler Woods wrote on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 (PDT):
  • Kim, I miss Dale. I believe he was in the prime of his days on Tractor Tales when I discovered 'Yesterday's Tractor' and became a part of this great site. I even enjoyed his grammer and spelling as only 'Old Farmer' could do. I think posting his stories in a special section is a great idea. TyTX
    rustyj14 wrote on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 (PDT):
  • A very touching salute to Old Farmer! I can empathize with the way he felt! I'm also a veteran of WW II. but, i have a lot of memories of spending summers on my Grand-dads' farm, near Butler, Pa. I also know how he felt about shutting down the tractor for the last time! Rest in peace-Old Farmer!
    marcel mailhot wrote on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 (PDT):
  • Your story of old farmer teach us how is important the communication with our elders. We realise too late that we did not take the time to listen. Keep up your good work.
    C. L. Standley wrote on Friday, February 16, 2007 (PST):
  • How fitting that Dale Jensen passed on while sitting in the tractor seat where he had spent so much of his life. I wish that I might be as lucky.
    Phill Snartland wrote on Thursday, March 08, 2007 (PST):
  • Oh my... what a story. That s the way I want to go, friends only on an Allis instead of a Deere . Thanks for the terrific story. I m looking forward to hearing more of Mr. Jensen s reminisces.
    W.R.W. wrote on Sunday, September 02, 2007 (PDT):
  • 7,25 am. on Sunday morning. Coffee in hand and just read your article on Old Farmer. Nice story-keep them coming! The way the world is nowadays our better days are definitely behind us. I have always enjoyed talking to seniors about days gone bye.Hope to see more of your stories online. Thanks.
    brian knox wrote on Sunday, September 02, 2007 (PDT):
  • we need men like this here today as our farms are dieing.my grand father was one of these and i have the old john deere great story. ba knox
    Jorbidok wrote on Friday, October 31, 2008 (PDT):
  • interesting, i'll be back later recompostaje.com/img/sexy/
    James Lehr wrote on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 (PST):
  • It is so sad that in these modern time we are caught up in life so much that we tend to forget those who have come before us. Those who have had the life experiences to create this world we are in. I commend you for keeping these stories alive, for if we look closely we can find our truths in our lives based on anothers experiences.
    JohnDeereJimOhio wrote on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 (PDT):
  • Very cool story look forward to hear more make me think of my grandfather....
    kennyg wrote on Wednesday, April 08, 2015 (PDT):
  • PERFECT
    Ronald Wood wrote on Sunday, October 03, 2021 (PDT):
  • Gary Ronan. What is the name of your grandparent that farmed at Rolla North Dakota? I might know the name or some of your relatives. I grew up in Towner County in the Rocklake area and there were many Finnsh people in that area. All were very good farmers.

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