Local farmer Ron Franks isn’t one for the spotlight, but when the local farming community lost one of their own, he knew the story of brotherhood should be shared.
“In my 58 years of farming, I’ve been involved in a couple of these farmers-helping-farmers events, but this one hits especially close to home,” said Ron.
John Jordan was just a teen living in Fertile when Ron recalls meeting him and eventually hiring the 16-year-old to do some work on his rural Clear Lake farm. He was employed by the Franks’ for 10-years before he was able to get a farmstead of his own and eventually raise a family there.
John and his wife, Michelle, happily made their home on the land for 32 years and enjoyed being part of the farming community. John even served as a member of the North Iowa Co-op Board of Directors for several years.
Then, the unthinkable happened. At the age of 59, John passed away in April 2022.
“I knew I wanted people to help get John’s crop out, but I didn’t know they would volunteer,” Ron explained. “I had a list of people to call and they all gave me pretty much the same response, ‘You bet. Let me know what you need.’ All I had to do was organize it.”
Last Thursday 12 combines, 11 grain carts, 14 semis, a truck and dozens of farmer friends and others descended upon six Jordan farm fields. In just over six hours 54,000 bushels of corn had been hauled to town and another 10,000 stored in bins.
A few weeks earlier, beans were picked by some of the same volunteers and others.
“We put the word out and shared the information at the co-op. I can’t believe how many came— some with their own crew of workers,” said Ron. “It was a true testament to the type of guy John was.”
“You hear about this type of thing, but being in the midst of it is a very humbling experience,” said Michelle, who with the help of neighbors and friends, prepared a lunch for the volunteer farm workers. Even more volunteers helped to shuttle those in the field to the farmstead so they could indulge in the pulled pork feast.
John had already filled his tanks with fuel before his passing and Michelle said she was pleased to refuel the equipment which so efficiently picked her fields.
She knows she can never repay all of the incredible people who helped her and her family this fall, but Michelle said she hopes they know her appreciation.
“John was a quiet, stoic type of man so I’m not sure what he would have said about this, but I can’t help but feel he had a hand in this.”
“People are still willing to help,” added Ron. “Farmers come with their combines and whatever else is needed even if theirs is still standing. It’s just a way of helping to show they care. It’s a good story in these times, but it’s sad it took John’s story to remind us.”
