Each month, Eagle Radio in Great Bend is recognizing groups or individuals that make a big impact on our community. This Appreciation Month is highlighting farmers.
By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Almost every day growing up on a farm near Olmitz, Kevin Bahr was with
his mother or father riding around in the pickup, tractor or combine wanting to
help whenever he could.
“Once we were able to be out and about as children, you were involved on the
farm,” said Bahr. “It might not have been the biggest job, but they wanted your
help and needed your help.”
With three older siblings, Bahr attended Otis-Bison High School. Following
graduation, he wanted to start working on the family farm. His mother convinced
him of the importance of continuing his education instead.
“My mom told me with the way farm life is, you need to get an education,” said
Bahr. “She wanted me to have something to fall back on if times got hard.”
Luckily for Bahr, he was a good football player and received a scholarship to
play at Fort Hays State University where he obtained a teaching degree.
“I’m proud that I received a college degree,” said Bahr. “It certainly helped
me. I came back to help my dad farm but I taught in school for nine years.”
After graduating college, the Bahr farm wasn’t as big to support two families.
The nine years serving as a substitute and sometimes long-term sub helped provide
for his family.
“I did a lot of teaching at Great Bend High School,” said Bahr. “They threw me
in about any place they could. Anywhere from industrial arts to upper-level
math classes.”
Bahr enjoyed teaching, but his true passion was still the farm.
“Whenever you finished up working at the school, you just jumped into the
tractor,” said Bahr. “There is only so many hours in a day, so working on the
farm fulltime was great because that was always what I wanted to do.”
Like most central Kansas farms, Bahr’s land is diversified, handling wheat,
milo, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and a cow calf herd.
“I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been able to expand over the years,” said
Bahr. “I’ve acquired some land but also good landlords that had faith in me to
farm their ground. Just trying to work hard and do a good job has been the
goal.”
Bahr enjoys the thrill of seeing a project from start to finish and mentioned
farming has to be “in your blood.”
“You don’t get a pat on the back every day for doing a good job,” said Bahr. “It’s
a commitment that you want to see things through.”
Bahr credits his work ethic from his parents, but also gleaned information from
different sources.
“I’ve learned a lot from neighbors,” said Bahr. “I watch what successful
farmers have done over the years. If it works for them, it’ll probably work for
me. Not everyone’s farm is the same, but you try to get little bits that will
help you. You just try to learn every day.”
Bahr has received a lot of support from his wife Jennifer and their three
children. Their oldest is a senior in college, and the middle child is a
freshman, both attending Fort Hays State. The youngest daughter is an eighth grader.
Kevin is a fourth-generation farmer farming on the same land he grew up on. He said there is no pressure for one of
his children to follow his family’s path in farming.
“I just want them (children) to do what makes them happy,” said Bahr. “If they
do choose to come back, I’ll be more than willing to let them come and help me.”
Bahr noted farming is a good life but not an easy life.
“I think all farmers are facing the same thing that labor is going to become an
increasing issue in the years to come,” said Bahr. “I think the people in it now
are doing a great job. But, as the older generation is getting out, I don’t
feel like there is as many people getting into it. It will be a challenge to
farm all the ground at some point.”
Bahr usually has a full-time employee with him and will bring a handful of
workers onboard during harvest. His wife and kids help out when needed too.
Luckily for his family and help, Bahr does not ask them to clean the chicken coop.
“That was the bottom of the barrel of chores we had to do as kids,” joked Bahr.
“Nobody enjoyed that very much.”
Read the previous Appreciation Month stories by clicking HERE.