agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles I learned a number of years ago that the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima was nothing like it is portrayed in Washington D.C. I learned a number of years ago that the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima was nothing like it is portrayed in Washington D.C.

]]> Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/63314-life-on-the-family-farm-raising-the-flag-on-iwo-jima http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/63314 It was late in the fall, and Joshua and I were out cutting firewood for our outdoor wood furnace. We use our furnace to heat our home along with the hot water for our home and our milkhouse. It was late in the fall, and Joshua and I were out cutting firewood for our outdoor wood furnace. We use our furnace to heat our home along with the hot water for our home and our milkhouse.

]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/63076-life-on-the-family-farm-it-could-have-happened-to-me-too http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/63076 My grandfather, Paul K. Heck, farmed almost his whole life. He was one who enjoyed working with livestock and crops. My grandfather, Paul K. Heck, farmed almost his whole life. He was one who enjoyed working with livestock and crops.

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/62881-life-on-the-family-farm-grandpas-crown-of-thorns-plant http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/62881 Years ago, I dated a very special, beautiful young lady whose name was Joanne. I started dating her at Christmastime, and by the time Valentine’s Day came around, I was in love with her. Years ago, I dated a very special, beautiful young lady whose name was Joanne. I started dating her at Christmastime, and by the time Valentine’s Day came around, I was in love with her.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/62719-life-on-the-family-farm-love-your-valentine http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/62719 Some people are happy to have the old year behind them and to have the start of a new one. Some people are happy for the first day of the new year and then, as one woman said, “It’s back to the same old grind.” I can relate. Some people are happy to have the old year behind them and to have the start of a new one. Some people are happy for the first day of the new year and then, as one woman said, “It’s back to the same old grind.” I can relate.

]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/62427-life-on-the-family-farm-a-brand-new-year http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/62427 Shortly after Christmas one year, we had our insurance agent into our home. When Jim went into our living room, he saw our Christmas tree in the corner all decorated. Shortly after Christmas one year, we had our insurance agent into our home. When Jim went into our living room, he saw our Christmas tree in the corner all decorated. 

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/62338-life-on-the-family-farm-a-charlie-brown-christmas-tree http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/62338 Not many people can say they eat like Daniel Boone, the great frontiersman. But in our household we can say that we do. I must admit that it is unique and very good, nutritious food too. Not many people can say they eat like Daniel Boone, the great frontiersman. But in our household we can say that we do. I must admit that it is unique and very good, nutritious food too.

]]> Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/62134-life-on-the-family-farm-eating-like-daniel-boone http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/62134 When we bought this farm, there was a small old heifer shed up on the hill west of our barn. It was in bad shape, but we used it for a number of years to house our mid-sized heifers. When we bought this farm, there was a small old heifer shed up on the hill west of our barn. It was in bad shape, but we used it for a number of years to house our mid-sized heifers.

]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61923-life-on-the-family-farm-the-wild-apple-tree http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61923 When I was out working the ground for corn planting this spring, I found a most unusual rock. When I was out working the ground for corn planting this spring, I found a most unusual rock.

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61786-life-on-the-family-farm-the-big-heart-rock http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61786 When a person is born, you have no idea what they will accomplish in life. Sometimes that holds true for animals too. Sometimes they will accomplish things far beyond your wildest dreams. Such was the case for a cat we had here recently. When a person is born, you have no idea what they will accomplish in life. Sometimes that holds true for animals too. Sometimes they will accomplish things far beyond your wildest dreams. Such was the case for a cat we had here recently.

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61608-life-on-the-family-farm-chief-sore-tail http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61608 It’s been my privilege over the years to write many stories about life on our farm here. I’ve been blessed over the years to get a fair bit of feedback on my stories and my book. It’s been my privilege over the years to write many stories about life on our farm here. I’ve been blessed over the years to get a fair bit of feedback on my stories and my book.

]]> Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61388-life-on-the-family-farm-an-amazing-story http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61388 It was a beautiful, sunny day, and we were happy to be going about our work. On this July day, we were planning on round-baling our upper hay field. It had a beautiful second crop of hay on it that I had cut a couple of days before It was a beautiful, sunny day, and we were happy to be going about our work. On this July day, we were planning on round-baling our upper hay field. It had a beautiful second crop of hay on it that I had cut a couple of days before

]]> Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61186-life-on-the-family-farm-the-big-one-that-got-away http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61186 Sometimes in farming and in life the most unexpected things happen. Such is what happened here this last summer. Sometimes in farming and in life the most unexpected things happen. Such is what happened here this last summer.

]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/61003-life-on-the-family-farm-the-firefighters http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/61003 We had an old silo that we used to store high-moisture corn for many years. Over time, because of freezing, thawing and age, many of the cement staves in the top half of the silo started to crack and break. It got to the point where we could see it was getting dangerous to keep using it in that condition. We had an old silo that we used to store high-moisture corn for many years. Over time, because of freezing, thawing and age, many of the cement staves in the top half of the silo started to crack and break. It got to the point where we could see it was getting dangerous to keep using it in that condition.

]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/60840-life-on-the-family-farm-the-rebuild http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/60840 We had an old Farmall tractor that we used for years on the farm to do a lot of light work. My son, Joshua, ran it a fair bit and owned half of it. We had an old Farmall tractor that we used for years on the farm to do a lot of light work. My son, Joshua, ran it a fair bit and owned half of it. 

]]> Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/60688-life-on-the-family-farm-not-what-i-want-but-what-he-wants http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/60688 I had a complicated situation arise awhile back with a large oak tree on our farm. The tree was off of the edge of the township road and the federal highway that run by our farm. I really like large oak trees that stand so strong and beautiful, and yes, I liked this big tree that stood next to the fence of my heifer pasture. I had a complicated situation arise awhile back with a large oak tree on our farm. The tree was off of the edge of the township road and the federal highway that run by our farm. I really like large oak trees that stand so strong and beautiful, and yes, I liked this big tree that stood next to the fence of my heifer pasture.

]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/60568-life-on-the-family-farm-the-big-oak-tree http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/60568 When we first started farming here years ago, I didn’t have many tools. Since I was very short on money, I ended up buying tools through a mail-order catalog. They were the cheapest tools I could find, and yes, they were made in China. The saying “You get what you pay for” was most certainly true in that case. When we first started farming here years ago, I didn’t have many tools. Since I was very short on money, I ended up buying tools through a mail-order catalog. They were the cheapest tools I could find, and yes, they were made in China. The saying “You get what you pay for” was most certainly true in that case.

]]> Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/60342-life-on-the-family-farm-a-lifetime-guarantee http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/60342 Sometimes in life there is a person or animal that always brings a smile to your face when you cross paths with them. I have one cow that always does that for me. Her name is Dixie, and she is one very unique individual. Sometimes in life there is a person or animal that always brings a smile to your face when you cross paths with them. I have one cow that always does that for me. Her name is Dixie, and she is one very unique individual.

]]> Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/60129-life-on-the-family-farm-dixie-a-very-special-cow http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/60129 Years ago, when we would fill out applications for medical insurance, the insurance agent would always ask us a lot of questions. One of the questions was, “Did anybody in our household do bull riding or parachute jumping?” If I would have answered “yes” to that, the cost of the insurance would have gone up substantially. Years ago, when we would fill out applications for medical insurance, the insurance agent would always ask us a lot of questions. One of the questions was, “Did anybody in our household do bull riding or parachute jumping?” If I would have answered “yes” to that, the cost of the insurance would have gone up substantially.

]]> Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/59944-life-on-the-family-farm-elmo-lives-dangerously http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/59944 In our early years farming here, we had several acres of land on the lower end of our farm that had a lot of grass and brush on it along with a few trees. In our early years farming here, we had several acres of land on the lower end of our farm that had a lot of grass and brush on it along with a few trees.

]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/59750-life-on-the-family-farm-i-just-knew-i-could-make-it http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/59750 My mother went to a one-room country school when she was growing up during the Great Depression. The school had one teacher who taught all eight grades. My mother went to a one-room country school when she was growing up during the Great Depression. The school had one teacher who taught all eight grades.

]]> Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/59529-life-on-the-family-farm-i-get-to-walk-the-teacher-home http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/59529 I greatly appreciate all the readers I have from across the nation and other countries of the world. I count it a privilege to be able to write. I’m so glad the Lord can use somebody like me to bless other people in this way. In doing so, I am greatly blessed. I greatly appreciate all the readers I have from across the nation and other countries of the world. I count it a privilege to be able to write. I’m so glad the Lord can use somebody like me to bless other people in this way. In doing so, I am greatly blessed.

]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/59281-life-on-the-family-farm-god-is-faithful http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/59281 With the winter season nearly behind us now, it’s nice to have spring finally arriving again. With the winter season nearly behind us now, it’s nice to have spring finally arriving again.

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/59074-life-on-the-family-farm-youre-sitting-on-it http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/59074 I remember back many years ago to a very special time in my life: Feb. 14, 1989. It was Valentine’s Day, and it was the third month that I had been dating a very beautiful, godly lady named Joanne. I remember back many years ago to a very special time in my life: Feb. 14, 1989. It was Valentine’s Day, and it was the third month that I had been dating a very beautiful, godly lady named Joanne.  

]]> Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/58903-life-on-the-family-farm-my-valentine http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/58903 We have an old, two-story dairy barn on our farm that was built in 1933. The bottom story is where we have our dairy cows, along with some calves. The second story is where we store our baled hay and cornstalk bedding. We have an old, two-story dairy barn on our farm that was built in 1933. The bottom story is where we have our dairy cows, along with some calves. The second story is where we store our baled hay and cornstalk bedding.

]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/58753-life-on-the-family-farm-its-far-more-interesting http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/58753 It was a beautiful day; I was out chopping second-crop hay, and it was the last load for the day. I had just one more day of chopping to go, and then we would be all done with the second-crop harvest. It was a beautiful day; I was out chopping second-crop hay, and it was the last load for the day. I had just one more day of chopping to go, and then we would be all done with the second-crop harvest.

]]> Sat, 25 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/58505-life-on-the-family-farm-god-provides http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/58505 As I sit here and write this, a very special day is coming up for us soon. It will be our wedding anniversary. As I sit here and write this, a very special day is coming up for us soon. It will be our wedding anniversary.

]]> Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/58183-life-on-the-family-farm-a-very-special-day http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/58183 We had a surprise a little while back, new visitors – or maybe I should say new residents – living on our farm. We had a surprise a little while back, new visitors – or maybe I should say new residents – living on our farm.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/58102-life-on-the-family-farm-new-visitors-to-our-farm http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/58102 For all my life I’ve handled small square bales of hay to feed to the cattle. It is a lot of work unloading them off of the hay wagon and putting them away in the barn’s haymow. For all my life I’ve handled small square bales of hay to feed to the cattle. It is a lot of work unloading them off of the hay wagon and putting them away in the barn’s haymow.

]]> Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/57734-life-on-the-family-farm-you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks-or-can-you http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/57734 As we look at the news stories coming in from around the world, we must admit things don’t look good. As we look at the news stories coming in from around the world, we must admit things don’t look good.

]]> Thu, 25 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/12-progressive-dairy-life-on-the-family-farm/post/57396-life-on-the-family-farm-looking-ahead http://www.agproud.com/blogs/12/post/57396