SEGMENT: RELIGION, FARM BUSINESS & FAMILY FARM
Stephen Scates>ISM Interviews M-Z>ISM Interviews M-Z, Segment 9
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- RELIGION
- Stephen cites his mother (Geneva Scates) and grandmother (Lula Coleman) as having influence on his religion. His parents were married St. Mary's. They made sure their children didn't miss a Sunday church service. The church would hold a yearly picnic. Stephen says they were very involved with the church.
- FARM BUSINESS
- Started at a very young age, driving the tractors with their father.
- FARM EQUIPMENT
- Equipment was far simpler than it is now. Remembers driving tractors made by John Deere, M International, and his brothers (Joe, Hue, Tom) driving Model L Case.
- CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES
- Attended religion class on Saturday mornings. Got on well with the kids from town. Dad had a sister in Fort Branch, IN whom he would visit for a week, or his cousins would stay with him for a week.
- FAMILY FARM
- Mother held things together, Father was always looking forward. His father shared his land with his children, who have shared with their relatives. Father had a heart attack when Stephen was 23 or 24 and his brothers were younger than him (Mark was 21). They worked together as partners to buy equipment or rent land. 13,000 acres of farmland, 15,000 acres total. To some extent green beans, pickles, cabbage, cucumbers, sweet corn.
- FARMER'S MARKET
- Grandchildren run the farmer's market in the summer. Sell Shawnee sweet corn, for which they have a reputation for growing.
- LAND
- Hills, flatland, near rivers (Ohio and Wabash). Plant in the floodplains, usually without problems but occasional floods. 40% to 60% of the acreage goes to soybeans or corn. 2000 acres for wheat, follow with soybeans or vegetables.