When ever I receive pictures such as this I quickly recall why I choose to live in Middle Georgia upon my retirement from the U. S. Navy way back in 1981.
As a Former Iowa Tractor Boy I still appreciate appropriate Christmas Gifts. This scarf was a gift from my Son and His Bride. Now, just in case you are interested in who reads this blog I will provide a summary of the past week readers:United States of America 79
New Zealand 7
Canada 5
France 5
Latvia 5
Netherlands 4
United Kingdom 3
Hungary 3
India 3
Estonia 2
It is certainly interesting to know the diversity of readers who are interested in the Iowa Tractor Boy Post.
I recently received these pictures of my Nephew operating his John Deere Combine (Harvestor) as he completed the final field of the 2010 Corn Harvest. Of course the next day he was in the fields doing the preparation work for the 2011 Corn Crop.
This is a view of the holding bin, the corn dryer and the bins which then hold the dry corn before it is shipped to a grain dealer or transported to the Barge Terminal in Clayton, Iowa for further shippment to various processors and even to countries around the World. Corn from the Corn Belt is shipped world-wide. 
Now, before the crop is harvested or combined by a Harvestor this young Iowa Tractor Boy is fueling the equipment in preparation for a long day in the field.
Fueling of the tractors which pull the wagons loaded with moist corn to the Dryer displayed above is also completed before the long harvest days are started.
More fueling in progress. As a former Iowa Tractor Boy I can appreciate what our Farmers expend in funds to purchase fuel to plant, grow and harvest our food stuffs.
This fleet of Wagons is necessary to transport the freshly harvested corn to the dryer. Most Iowa Tractor Boys empty the holding bin on their Harvestors while still harvesting the crop in the field. This is often referred to "Unloading on the Go," and saves precious time when it is necessary to get the harvest completed prior to Winter Winds and Fall Rains which cause the corn to fall down (I believe the official term is lodging) or the fields become to wet and soft to allow the heavy machines to operate without excessive soil compaction.
This is a scene showing the soybean harvest off of Kale Avenue near Guttenberg, Iowa. Note the gentle rolling hills with many valleys which ultimately reach the Mississippi River. 
Here you see an Iowa Tractor Boy with his family in a field of Soybeans. The Second Son is not quite tall enough to be totally visable.
Again, still in the Soybean Field. Here you see an Iowa Tractor Boy who is also employed by John Deere, Dubuque with his three Sons.
Of course every Iowa Tractor Boy that grows corn has to pose in the field such as the Baseball Players did in the 1989 "Field of Dreams" classic film staring Kevin Costner. Here is the Iowa Tractor Boy and his three Sons at the edge of the Corn Field.
This Farm is near the Mississippi River just off of Kale Avenue in Clayton County near Guttenberg, Iowa. You will note that the crops are planted on the contour to help reduce erosion.
As you may know the originator of this Blog was raised in Iowa. Recently he visited Juliette, Georgia which is also the site for the filming of "Fried Green Tomatoes." 
More than normal rainfall has caused the crops in Clayton County, Iowa to experience fungus problems more than average. Here you see a helo in operation. This equipment is the modern day equivalent of the former "Crop Duster Aircraft." 
Here is an image of the helo restocking chemicals. I am sure that the helos are more effective in as they do not need long approaches and long departures over a field which results in excessive use of chemicals. The helo can deliver with pin-point accuracy.
A distant shot of the helo in operation over a cornfield near Kale Avenue in the Guttenberg, Iowa area.
You can see how Clayton County, Jefferson Township Scholars dressed to attend the Jefferson School Number Six (also known as the Ceres School) when I was in the Fourth Grade. I, Alan am the fourth Scholar from the right end on this photo. My Brother David would have been in the Second Grade. He is the first Scholar on the right end. This picture was most likely taken during the 1949-1950 School Year. 
I believe that I was in the Sixth Grade when this picture was taken. There were children from two families who attended Jefferson Number Six during it's final year of operation which was 1951-1952. Our Teacher shown on the far right was Sula Schrader. Her Husband operated the "Shell Gasoline" Tank Truck which hauled fuel to the Farmers. Mrs. Schrader was considered wealthy because she drove an Oldsmobile Car from town to teach us in this one room County School.
Here you are viewing a Young Iowa Tractor Boy, who is also a U. S. Navy Veteran loading the Six Row Corn Planter in preparation to planting the Corn.
Another View of loading the Corn Planter. Corn is used in cereals, food items and also is consumed by both Dairy and Beef Cattle. The Pork industry also consumes a lot of Corn. Besides that, the United States of America exports an abundance of corn to Nations overseas. The United States exports over 3.3 billion bushels of corn each year. It is also important to also note that corn production around the world is on the upswing. More Nations are growing their own but the economic impact of exported corn cannot be denyed.
City children know that produce and meats come from the Market. All Iowa Tractor Boys know better. In fact, even their Sisters know better. Here you see a few "Brood Beef Cows" who are also young Mothers. Their offspring will become the Steaks of tomorrow.
Angus Beef. Here you see young beefsteak on the hoof along with the Brood Cows. A Northeast Iowa Farm scene. Not all land is used to produce corn. Some is just simply to rugged, especially near the East and West Borders of Iowa which are marked by Rivers and the streams that feed these rivers. 
Hunting and Fishing are the perfect leisure time activities for Iowa Tractor Boys. Here you see two generations displaying their "Turkey."
Of Course most every Iowa Farmstead has a Garden not only for food but for beauty. Here you see the beginning of the 2010 Garden.
The beginning of a Raspberry Patch. I can taste the ice cream already. 
The Iowa Capitol. Every once in a while even Iowa Tractor Boys need to attend business there. Sometimes it is the Wives and Mothers who perform this necessary duty.
Here is a picture of the completed cattle lot with appropriate fence and gate. This will allow his Sons to observe farm animals every time they leave the house for school or other endeavors. Besides that, as they mature in age they will have the opportunity to feed and care for the livestock.
Here you see his two oldest Sons picking grass for the young beef stock which will be housed in the new area that has just been fenced in.
As you can ascertain it takes a team effort to place a gate post. It must be set securely to hold the gate in perfect position as well as look good.
Here you see my Nephew and his three sons. It looks like he has lot's of supervision. My Nephew's Dad, my Brother always stated that even though Farming is very challenging, it is still be best place in the World to raise Kids. I suspect that my Nephew has also adopted that mantra.
Two Mature Iowa Tractor Boys and Two Iowa Tractor Boys (In Training) are being appropriately monitored by the Family Pet.
April 4, 2010. Trinity Lutheran Church - Guttenberg, Iowa. Here you see three generations of Iowa Tractor Boys enjoying Easter Breakfast. Like many Iowa Farmers these Young Men and Young Boys quickly learn that the message above the Kitchen Window in the Background is "Most Certainly True." Even though they work long hours in the fields to plant and grow the corn and other crops the Blessings of the Harvest are indeed a Gift from our God. Have a Blessed Easter!!!!
During my own youth my parents burned wood to heat the Family Home in Jefferson Township of Clayton County in Iowa. My Siblings and I often complained when Dad required us to help cut up wood for the two out years. We did not have a shelter to store the wood so it was ranked up outside to air dry for two years before it was used to heat the house.
My Nephew is now in charge of acquiring the fire wood used to heat the Family Home. You will note that there is now a shed to keep the wood dry while it cures.
It is also refreshing to note that the current generation of wood cutters is also training the very next generation in the operation of light farm equipment. I suspect that in a few years this young Iowa Tractor Boy will be learning how to cut fire wood. He certainly has been given the opportunity to watch his Uncles saw down trees and cut up and also store the wood.
This is a view of the Mississippi River from the Overlook alongside U. S. Highway 52 as it proceeds North of the City of Guttenberg, Iowa in Clayton County. You can view the island and if you look closely you can see the Ice Fishing Activity on this side of the island. 
This is a view of the frozen Mississippi River South of Lock and Dam Number Ten in Guttenberg, Iowa. These photographs are provided by my relatives who reside in Northeast Iowa.
If you look close at this picture you can see that an Iowa Farmer is assisting in the formation of another generation of Iowa Tractor Boys. 
Of course it helps to be an Iowa Farmer and to also be employed by John Deere Tractor Works. The Winter of 2009 - 2010 has been a challenge with an abundance of snow fall.
Note the snow blade on the rear of this John Deere. The tines on the front are used to move the round hay bales so that the cattle can enjoy food during the Winter season.
