It’s Wednesday, May 6th and farmers are anxiously waiting for some dry, warm weather. About the time it’s a day away from being able to get back in the fields, it rains again. We have gone from a severe drought situation to hearing these words, “I wish it would stop raining so I could get my crops planted!”
The forecast even for tonight is a chance of frost in some areas, and then a couple more days of rain. I finally gave up Monday and put four pepper plants and four tomatoes in the dirt. They were being pampered in the house sitting in front of the patio door, and it was time to “grow up.” I did put some clay farm tile around them to give some protection from the wind.
Speaking of wind, I was so sad to hear of the damage done from the storm almost two weeks ago. I knew Colmar, the Fandon area, near Industry and farther east had been hit. Both places--Julie and Steve and Cathy and Steve-- had damage. Power was off here for about 3 hours, and I know there were power poles down near Industry and a lot of Generac generators kicked into action.
I throw a big “thank you” to all the Ameren and McDonough Power people that worked to restore electricity. I admire all the work they did.
Well, the Farm Bill (Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026) passed the House with 14 Democrats voting with Republicans to send the bill to the Senate. Three Republicans and 197 Democrats opposed the bill. The last farm bill was passed in 2018. This bill passed the House by excluding renewable fuel source E-15 to be sold year round. It will be voted on at a different time.
Progress in the county is quickly being made with solar panels and windmills being built. West of the highway on the road to Bushnell, west of Macomb south of Laverdiere Const., and in the Industry area. I am remembering way back to the 60’s when an elderly neighbor swore up and down that the airplane jet streams were changing our weather. Now, I find I have to admit by concern that we don’t really know what an effect the solar panels and windmills are going to have on our weather.
Ending on a positive note...friends and I were privileged to attend the Choral Society’s concert (not the whole title) performance at Wesley United Methodist Church a couple weeks ago. It was such a tribute to the country’s history through music. After enjoying two performances of Annie at Macomb High, one performance of Frozen at Rushville/ Industry and then the concert, we are privileged to have so much talent in the area.
Remember to keep singing the song from “Annie”...The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar...”
Sharon Chenoweth is a resident and farmer of McDonough County. Her column focuses on rural life and will be featured every other week in the Community News Brief Friday Edition.
