Eye Aim To Take It: Encounter with Fred the Farmer

Let It Rain!!!!!!!!!

Eighty two years young, retired farmer Fred Lang visits the St Charles County Fair on wednesday July 25th,. Fred is accompanied by his wife Bernice and family friend Sally Owens. The fair is located in Wentzville, Mo approximately 22 miles west of St Louis, Mo.

Fred is dressed in the unspoken but well known traditional farmer uniform of baseball hat, plaid shirt and wranglers.

Fred was born and had lived in St Charles County all his life until he decided, "it was time for a move 18 years ago because of urban sprawl." Fred and Bernice now reside in Williamsburg, Mo, approximately 50 miles west of Wentzville.

Since retiring, Mr Lang leases out his land to other farmers in Williamsburg and his remaining land in St Charles County, located on a flood plain. The majority of his land being used to raise crop and Black Angus cattle.

"I think of my farm land as my pension or 401K plan," Fred laughingly states.

Asked about the drought, Mr Lang states "it's been even worse in Williamsburg then around here in St Charles County, with the corn being most sensitive to the heat." Speaking of which, Fred patiently describes the differences between human corn, horse corn and other crop. "First off," Fred grinning as he replies, "it's not called human corn and horse corn. The corn for people and animals is just referred to as corn. Sweet corn is grown for people. Corn grown for animals such as horses and cows, is known as grain." Simple as this sounds many of us so removed from the farm life are unaware of these differences in corn.

When describing his crop, Fred's passion for farming becomes obvious, as he points out the differences of the corn displayed in the Fair's 4-H barn. The farmer continues his talk, sharing years of knowledge, mixed in with a keen sense of humor. When asked if human corn or horse corn is taller. Fred retorts, "now don't call it human corn it's sweet corn," Mr Lange then entertainingly starts reciting many of the products produced from corn, "cornmeal, corn oil. corn flakes, popcorn, ethanol," indeed, a very long list, too many to list for this article.

Many of today's younger population(older for that matter too) are unaware of most aspects of farming. Diminishing farms and people mostly living in cities or the suburbs contribute greatly to this phenomenon.

For that reason the Lang's granddaughter, a teacher, Daisey Diederich, wrote a book, F is for Farm. Per her proud grandmother, Bernice Lang "the book is still in print." Mrs. Lang with a pensive look on her face as she shares, "my daughter, Ruth Diederich, Daisey's mother, died in 2006 at age 50 from diabetes. You never get over the hurt of losing your child."

Sally Owens, a family friend, was one of the Lang's daughters best friend. "Sally was the St. Charles County 4-H Poultry superintendent for many years. She retired from that position a few years ago but still returns every year to see the 4-H kids and help with different projects". (Per Leah Stotts, 2012 2nd Runner-up, St. Charles County Fair Queen) Through the years Sally has continued her friendship with the Langs, correlating her visits at the fair when Fred and Bernice drive up to view their granddaughters displays in the hall.

Sally states, "the Lang's have two granddaughters who were exhibiting items in the hall . They have cakes, the big cat house, baked goods, sewing projects and I'm not sure what else.They usually come the same day each year and I try to catch up with them there. Just good people."

Even with all of life's challenges the Langs have experienced, they maintain their sense of humor and zest for living.

Now when one looks up at the sky and wonders how much longer we're going to be trapped in this drought, we also might ponder for the Lang's and other farm families how is this weather going to effect their 401K?

Meeting this farming couple, Fred and Bernice Lang pulls at a persons heartstrings. Listening to Fred talking so passionately about farming and Bernice sharing about her daughter and granddaughters story was well worth the admission of the St Charles County Fair. In fact meeting Fred and Bernice was priceless. Getting a hug from Bernice with a kiss on your cheek warms your heart to the core, luckily not in the way of the drought.

Here's a way to remember the difference between human corn and horse corn, horses are taller then humans, so horse corn is taller then human corn. (Sorry Fred)

Braving the heat and making this trip out to the St Charles County Fair was a very wise choice. It was more enjoyable then any exotic locale destination, unless of course we're talking about traveling up North.

Iceberg viewing is sounding better everyday as the scorching heat lingers on here in the mid-west, seemingly melting everyone and everything in its path!!!

Fred Lang, retired farmer, explains the differences in types of corn grown for human consumption and animal feed.