Celebrate Independence Day! In the history of the world, few events have had greater impact on people than the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776. 

The 56 signers of the document risked their lives, families and property in the process. Nine of the signers were farmers or plantation owners. Others, who had grown up on farms, had become surveyors, lawyers, merchants, etc. 

During the course of the Revolutionary War, some lost their lives or those of relatives, others had land and possessions expropriated by the British.  

Numerous incidents preceded the declaration, including the Boston Tea Party and the battles at Lexington and Concord.

Without question, there were multiple conflicting interests of those individuals from the thirteen colonies which stretched from New Hampshire to Georgia along the Atlantic coastline. The quest for freedom superseded their self interests as the signers met despite the risks of the on-going war. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Throughout the document, these basic beliefs are reiterated, and emphasized with dedication and great clarity.  

Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was a man of many talents.

As a farmer, he had a lifelong interest in mechanical innovations and was credited with significant improvements to the plow. He studied new crops and soil conditions, utilizing scientific agricultural techniques to improve productivity at Monticello.

While his main crop was the rarely profitable tobacco, he worked diligently to be self sufficient, producing wheat, corn, flax, hogs, sheep, poultry and cattle. He generally had cash flow problems and was always in debt, something many farmers today can relate to. 

On this Fourth of July holiday, why not take time to read not only the Declaration of Independence, but also something about many of the signers, particularly those with roots in agriculture. We may have to endure many challenges, but most pale in comparison to the risks Jefferson and others took to insure we have the freedom to make our own decisions."

Indeed, celebrate Independence Day, but please be careful with the fireworks!

I recall 1988, when fireworks drifted over a baled wheat stubble field and ignited several small spots. Had we experienced windy conditions,  fires could have burned significant acreage. Recent dryness has created high risks for any activity that could generate sparks or flames. 

Last Thursday’s 100 plus temperatures and 20 mile per hour winds with higher gusts could have spelled disaster if a small fire were started.

A scan of local headlines showed a number of field fires started by sparks from machinery, unattended trash fires and so on. 

Check out the news of the vast fires ongoing in some of the western states. Realize that large acreages of small grain stubble, parched CRP areas, dry lawns and road side ditches could be set ablaze in a host of different ways. Reviewing an emergency action plan for your farm, business or home might be a good idea.

Finally, if you want to review agronomic recommendations for dealing with our drought conditions, check out www.KingCorn.org/cafe for a compilation of dry weather writings from sources across the Corn Belt. Articles titled “Spider Mites in Droughty Soybeans; Drought During Corn Pollination; Ear Shake Test to Determine Corn Pollination Progress; Early Drought Stress on Timely Planted Soybeans; Drought could cost farmers with future delivery contracts; Its a No-win Situation: Large Weeds and Hot Dry Weather” and many more await your review.