These grands are now 18, 17 and 21.
Time to say goodbye – at least for now.
Today will be my last “A Farm Life with A Farm Wife” on WHTC radio – based in Holland, MI.
You can only spin so many plates before they drop and break. So, I’ve decided to take the radio segment out of the spinning plate cycle.
I started doing radio 18+ years ago. It started as coming on air with the then host Red Kingman. I came in on Wednesday mornings and had fun on the air with him for a few hours and interjected farm related “stuff”. That turned into “Random Ramblings” segment for several years. I took a break for a few months and came back with “A Farm Life with a Farm Wife” and went to 2 Wednesdays a month instead of weekly.
I love being on air especially when we get call ins. Many listeners have reached out through the years through Facebook and even snail mail.
The segment was important to me to be able to share the truth. And that was what I strived for. In fact, the time consuming part of this was getting the information together for the segment. If it pertained to a fellow farmer or something I wasn’t personally experiencing I took a good amount of time to get it right before going on air.
I’ve had so many awesome guests which always made the segment better.
Farming has never been an easy job. It has though been a profitable or at least break even profession in the past. I say profession and job but it is really our life.
The last 6 years have been extremely difficult and it feels like all I’ve spoken of is how hard it is. How bad the prices are. The struggles being tougher than normal. And, it’s true. Yet, I don’t want the privilege of providing food, the joy of watching God’s creation play out smothered by the hardships.
My sponsor, Mark Hop with Farm Bureau Insurance – Hollland, MI is such a stand up guy. His office is amazing. We just had a lightning strike and we’ve been taken care of so well. Every year Mark calls me and says, “Another year? Do you want to stay on air?” And he always says “Whatever you want. You do a great job.” Having his support and being able to call on him for insurance needs has been wonderful. I also consider him and his family as friends. We see each other occasionally at farm related events.
So, if you get nothing else from this, please consider checking out Mark Hop Farm Bureau Insurance.
I always said that as long as God provided a platform I’d do my best to present the truth about farming. I feel as if God has said – whatever you want Diane, continue or take a break.
So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m taking a break. It may be temporary or it may be permanent. It’s to be determined.
Thank you to everyone who has been so kind over the years expressing their taking the time to listen and compliment and encourage.
Occasionally I will be asked “What does your kids and Farmer think about you being on air?”
Honestly, they never listen. Farmer will occasionally but none of the kids pay any attention. It will be interesting to see how long it takes before they realize I’m not on air – HA!
So, it’s goodbye for now at least on the radio.
But please keep in touch through A Farm Wife Facebook page and www.afarmwife.com.
Also, please support your local farmers when you can. Visit Farmer’s Markets and fruit stands and express your gratitude for their hard work.
