Lee County farmers turn out to help neighbor in need

By Jeannine Otto

jotto@shawmedia.com

AMBOY, Ill. — Nine combines. Half a dozen grain semis. Half a dozen tractors with grain carts. And more waiting if needed.

That was the response to a call from Lee County farmer Don Meyer to help a neighboring farmer, Michael Mead, with his harvest.

On Oct. 19, many of Mead’s fellow farmers were at one of his soybean fields near Walton bright and early to help harvest Mead’s crops, starting with about 400 acres of soybeans.

“We had so many respond that we had to put some on a waiting list. We told them we’ll call when we need help with his corn harvest,” Meyer said.

Mead suffered a medical incident in July and has been recovering since then.

“I was hoping I could do this myself, but I couldn’t, so Don lined it up, and he said this is what we’re doing, so here we are,” Mead said.

Mead said he was thankful for the support from friends and neighbors as he recovers.

“You don’t realize how many friends you have until something like this happens,” he said.

For Meyer, arranging harvest help for his neighbor was a way to repay Mead for the help Mead gave Meyer when a tornado struck his farm on March 31, 2023.

“He was there for 10 days in a row helping clean up my mess. So, it’s returning the favor. He has also been involved in so many things around the county, he’s given to the community, and we’re seeing them support him now,” Meyer said.

Mead is an active member of the Lee County Farm Bureau and is a member of the Lee County Fair Association Board of Directors.

Local ag businesses also stepped up to support the harvest day. Prairie State Tractor Repair in Amboy provided an on-site technician to tend to any equipment issues; Nutrien and AgView FS provided beverages; and Rory and Jena White of Amboy, who operate the Southwest Taco Truck, provided lunch.