Fourth Time's the Charm
Recently, I stumbled across the following quote (author unknown), “Don't give up on your dreams. If you fall, get back up and keep trying until you succeed.” It was the perfect quote to this week’s post and a great reminder if you’re feeling defeated. Earlier this summer, my brother Jeff, didn’t give up on his dream of planting the yearly, traditional sweet corn crop. He encountered several problems, but kept getting back up and trying over again; failing wasn’t an option. Ultimately, he planted sweet corn four times during the season.
First planting (south field):
Since the weather was unseasonably dry, my brother wanted to get an early start and planted 16 rows, and approximately 300 feet long. After the mild, dry weather, it turned cold that was followed by 10 inches of rain. Which resulted in dead corn, first part of May.
Second planting (south field):
Jeff replanted the south field again mid to late May with the same size of 16 rows and 300 feet long, that was adjacent to a crop of soy beans that were planted by a farmer using part of the family property. The new crop was a success until the dreaded phone call. The farmer using the property phoned to regretfully inform my brother that a young, new operator for the farming co-op was spraying the soy bean crop to control weeds and volunteer corn that may appear and unfortunately also sprayed the sweet corn crop. Which resulted in dead corn - crop number two. Our older brother Greg, mentioned to Jeff supermarkets and farm stands might be a better option this year….HA.
Third planting (east field):
Since Jeff had already planted winter wheat for my son and daughter-in-law’s chicken feed and specialized beer brewing hobby, 12 rows, 150 feet long of wheat had to be sacrificed for the third planting of corn. It was now mid-June, very dry and Jeff was afraid the crop wouldn’t yield enough corn.
He started to freak out there wouldn’t be enough for friends and family and felt he needed to plant more corn. The research began about the section of land that had been accidentally sprayed. Greg once again mentioned that supermarkets and farm stands might be the better option this year……HA.
Fourth planting (south field):
Jeff needed to know when the weed control for the soy beans would expire since there was an end date on the effectiveness. He continued to watch the calendar but ended up plowing the old crop since he couldn’t stand to look at the sad, dead corn. As it got closer to the expiration date of weed control effectiveness, he thought what the hell and decided to give number four planting a try. He upped the seed population quantity since he was worried about the hot dry summer, threw caution in the wind, on a wing and a prayer, and planted crop number four in July.
In the end, planting number three resulted in a very successful and delicious crop of sweet corn. There was plenty to share with friends and family. As for the second crop and fourth planting, it produced so much corn but by the time we could give most of it away, corn bores invaded the crop and Jeff plowed it all under….LOL.
This story is about perseverance, grit and never giving up on a dream. Jeff’s fourth time’s the charm tale in planting this year’s sweet corn crop is both inspiring and full of encouragement to those facing challenges. It is my hope you’ve been able to connect to parts of his story and will be able to take a crumb or two and use in your own life towards a goal you’re chasing. We all get knocked down from time to time, but it’s getting back up that matters.
xoxox…..Sheryl