Generations at harvest

Four generations of the Bardole family enjoy time in a soybean field at their farm in Iowa. (Photo: Joseph L. Murphy)

Editors note: This story is from the archives, but I thought you would enjoy reading about this great Iowa farm family. It was originally written in November of 2020.

In farming, there are no checkered flags. The job is never done, even after the last seed is planted or the last soybean is harvested from the field. The Bardole family from Rippey knows this all too well. 

They have been at the game of farming for generations. They've experienced the ups and downs as they've worked the land and labored to keep their family afloat, especially during these turbulent economic times.

As Tim Bardole neared the end of his final row of soybeans last fall, his anticipation grew. In 50 yards or 20 bushels, the harvest would be over. The combine churned as the reel rolled through the cracking stems of the final few plants. 

With a push of a button, the massive machine fell quiet. For a brief moment, there was silence. The combine stood still, the fields were empty, and another harvest was in the books. 

The stillness was broken as the voice of Tim’s father, Roy Bardole, came over the radio, exclaiming, "That's a wrap!"

Roy had uttered those words for 55 consecutive harvests. Out of exhaustion, Roy, Tim, Schyler (Tim's son), and Pete (Tim’s brother) headed for home, already planning the fieldwork that would need attention before the first snow. But for now, another successful harvest was complete.

"The fall is when you reap the rewards of the season," Tim Bardole says as he reflects on the growing season. "The unique thing about farming is you only have one chance each season to get it right. Harvest is when you find out how you did."

Farmers like the Bardoles get a limited number of chances in their lifetime to raise the perfect crop. Hundreds of variables come to play during those limited number of opportunities. Variables like seed selection, weather, conservation planning and pest management, to name just a few.

"There is nothing better than working with family," Tim says. “The fact that my son is working some of the same land that my great-great-grandfather bought in 1901 means a lot to me."

For Schyler Bardole, it was his third harvest as a full-time farmer. He hasn't had the easiest time getting started as, over the past few years, a trade war with China materialized, commodity prices sunk to historic lows and COVID-19 continues to impact his business. With all the headwinds he has faced, he knows that harvest is a special time that allows him to work closely with his family.

"When the harvest is done, it is almost disappointing," Schyler says. "I thoroughly enjoy it. A big part of it is family. We have family lunches in the field with my grandma and I take my family for combine rides. It has always been a family affair."

Although harvest can be a grueling time filled with late nights and early mornings, which last days on end, the Bardoles wouldn't have it any other way.

"In the fall, you have some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets," Tim says. "And you get to witness it from the seat of the combine. It’s also amazing to stop in the middle of a field on a cool crisp night and see what seems like forever in the stars."

Originally published for the Iowa Food & Family Project.