2019 Spring Farm Outlook

Page 38 2019 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine Lincoln Daily News March 21, 2019 Continue 8 By Catherine Carkulis O ne Lincoln farmer, Vernon Klockenga, is getting his land ready to launch into Spring planting. He has 58 years of experience. Vernon’s grandfather farmed making Vernon a third generation farmer, and his legacy now is fostering a fifth generation. Vernon learned about farming from his dad, and from his Uncle Lloyd who retired from Caterpillar. They farmed together for many years. Starting out as a boy and tagging along with his three brothers, Vernon learned how to farm and raise crops. He baled hay and did corn shelling as a family side business to make extra cash. Later, he networked in the neighborhood with other farmers until he was fortunate that a landlord rented out land to him. The Klockenga’s: A lineage of family farming Years progressed, and like dad, Vernon’s daughter Sharon tagged along with him as she learned the skills of farming and harvesting. Today, Vernon has the pleasure to be farming with his daughter Sharon (Klockenga) Jones, son-in-law Casey Jones, and granddaughter Rachael (Jones) Welker; continuing three generations farming together. When they are not planting a crop, Mrs. Jones and her daughter Mrs. Welker are substitute teachers. Twenty eight-year-old Rachael is a 2012 graduate of Illinois State University with an elementary teaching degree. She is now starting her seventh year as a substitute teacher.