“We hated loading straw in the winter”

Our farm has always been operated by our family and we have many memories of working together. One year, my two oldest teenagers were helping plant barley. We had been planting for several days already. It was time to go home and we were on the last field. As we stopped to fill the grain drills so they would be ready for morning, they said they wanted to stay and work late until the field was done so we didn’t have to come out again. We worked all night finishing up about 5:00 am after planting 270 acres that day. The boys felt like they had accomplished an extraordinary feat and I was glad to see the sense of accomplishment in their comments as we drove home. With our equipment at the time, 270 acres was a lot.

In later years, we would routinely plant 200 acres per day. I still remember the wonder of seeing the sun go down, but not quite get dark and then start getting light again about 2:00 am as it started to come up again. It is still remarkable to me to watch that happen.

A couple years ago, I was reminiscing with the boys and I mentioned how much fun we had loading semi trailers with straw during the winter. We would talk, tell stories, share wisdom and experiences while throwing bales, often in below 0 weather. I have so many fond memories of that. They looked at me like I had grown another head and every one of them said, “We hated loading straw in the winter”. We all laughed, them for thinking I thought it was fun and I for knowing they had forgotten how much fun it was.

Our lives have been filled with wonder as our kids became responsible adults, parents, and contributing members of their communities. I think that farm life provides ideal opportunities for children to develop the skills to succeed anywhere.

I work with my youngest son every day and it is amazing to me to see our kids grow up to be responsible, contributing adults. They get married and have their own little ones. When did that happen? His little kids are learning to work and enjoy being helpful. In just a few years they will play significant roles in the future of Alaska Flour Company.

This summer, all our family will gather at the farm for a few days. They want to do some project together that Milo has convinced them needs to be done. More than that, though, they want to be together, working, laughing, accomplishing, and bonding. I can’t describe how good that makes me feel and yet, our farm has always been about family first and business second.

It is easy to temporarily forget that, with the daily pressures of all that needs to be done, but then one of my kids will call or post a memory that brings things back into focus. Planting season is upon us again. Next week we will be in the field and I will remember the times we worked together to accomplish something important to us. I hope that what we do will also accomplish something important to all of you.

Bryce Wrigley

Alaska Flour Company/Wrigley Farms