SEGMENT: LAND, CROPS, & GLOBAL ECONOMY

Jack Kuhn>NIU Collection>NIU Collection, Segment 9

SEGMENT: LAND, CROPS, & GLOBAL ECONOMY,

duration 13:06
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MILITARY SERVICE
Aboard a destroyer, little firepower, didn't get into heavy action zones. Talks about the ship's compliment, nice guys, close-knit, worked together if they did get shelled. Trust, reliance, friendship. Jack's younger brother served aboard and aircraft carrier, didn't like. Too many people. Ship-city analogy.
FARMING DURING VIETNAM WAR
Dad and other brothers could take care of the farm during he & brother's service in war. Jack talks about his mother. She worked in the house. The men did the machinery work.
LAND
Talks about how they got the land they're on now by selling previous farm to condo developer. Family all lives nearby. Talks about leaving Warrenville. Parents moved into a ranch house. Tells where brothers live. Dad regretted not buying more land when they did. Jack reflects on land prices. Gives some examples. Prices are low now.
CROPS
Jack works 560 acres, grows corn and soy beans. Used to raise wheat, but that doesn't fit with the plumbing and carpentry trades. Jack's back is hurting him - felt something pop today. Farm has stayed the same since they've lived there. Talks about some more commodity prices.
LIVESTOCK
Son raised pigs. Farm was built for cattle. Doesn't need to raise cattle, since they have their outside trades. Son did well with the pigs, will probably do that again.
CROPS
Sell them to grain elevators, the government, floated down river to whomever needs it/gets it. Some goes to Chicago. Barges are full of grain already this winter.
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Jack talks about foreign policy, international economics, the farming profession. How farmers are "docked" for quality of grain. International exporting causes quality of grain to go down. Discusses impact of embargoes. Government has too big a role in their enterprise, talks about government subsidies.