Thursday Aug 20, 2009
August 19 was another successful stop on the Rural Tour with a great forum session at the Iowa State Fair. We were fortunate enough to meet the Dirkx family of Auburn, Iowa and hear their story.
Dan Dirkx introduced his family by saying, "Mr. Secretary, I would like to introduce you to the future of America, these are my children and I hope that one day they will take over our farm and continue to work the land. I want to thank the USDA for everything they have done to help us. I want to put a face on the USDA programs and show you how important they are, we are real people not just names on paper."
The Dirkx family are 5th generation farmers and have all too familiar with tough times. Dan's grandfather lost his farm during the Great Depression but the families determination to ciltivate the land carried on. Dan and Nora currently operate 307 acres and are in their second year of the Beginning Farmer Program, a program of the Farm Service Agency.
The Dirkx family came to the Rural Tour to thank Secretary Vilsack for the resources made availble to them through the USDA and its agencies. They explained that they built their farm with the financial assistance of direct operating loans and the assistance of the local FSA offices. Every step of the way, their local FSA office has been there to guide them. Dan was particularly glad that the FSA office was there to review his books twice a year and make sure that his farm was financially sound.
Dan and Nora made clear that they wanted their family farm to continue for generations and so they made every effort to connect their children to the land - from picking up rocks to squishing aphids.
"My children will join the military and serve their country, they will travel the world, but will always remember that they are from the land."
Dan Dirkx introduced his family by saying, "Mr. Secretary, I would like to introduce you to the future of America, these are my children and I hope that one day they will take over our farm and continue to work the land. I want to thank the USDA for everything they have done to help us. I want to put a face on the USDA programs and show you how important they are, we are real people not just names on paper."
The Dirkx family are 5th generation farmers and have all too familiar with tough times. Dan's grandfather lost his farm during the Great Depression but the families determination to ciltivate the land carried on. Dan and Nora currently operate 307 acres and are in their second year of the Beginning Farmer Program, a program of the Farm Service Agency.
The Dirkx family came to the Rural Tour to thank Secretary Vilsack for the resources made availble to them through the USDA and its agencies. They explained that they built their farm with the financial assistance of direct operating loans and the assistance of the local FSA offices. Every step of the way, their local FSA office has been there to guide them. Dan was particularly glad that the FSA office was there to review his books twice a year and make sure that his farm was financially sound.
Dan and Nora made clear that they wanted their family farm to continue for generations and so they made every effort to connect their children to the land - from picking up rocks to squishing aphids.
"My children will join the military and serve their country, they will travel the world, but will always remember that they are from the land."
Permalink | Posted at: 12:45PM Aug 20, 2009 by USDAblogger in General | Add Your Comment Here [0]
