Distractions, reflections

Over on Rachel and Jeff’s farm, Rafu and Rulle went into the barn to see the tractors.

The boys were a bit shy about climbing up into the cab of the tractor.

I went outside the barn to look at the cows … and be looked it. I moved slowly towards them, and a few cows were curious, but the herd as a whole was rather skittish. Read the rest of this entry →

While part of our research team’s learning was formal meetings at the University of Iowa, there was also much to see just in the rural setting. DLH took us for a drive around the farm. The terrain around Fairfield isn’t completely flat, and there are hills and streams.

There are certainly lots of open fields with fences around them.

In the area, there some Amish farms who continue to follow traditional methods of agriculture and living. This includes both high ground with a stream in the valley.

We waved hi to the woman putting out her laundry. Read the rest of this entry →

I spend most of my time in big cities. To give us a different perspective on our research project into innovation, DLH invited us out to his farm near Fairfield, Iowa.

It’s a working farm. DLH’s career is in New Jersey, so he has been leasing the land to other family members on a long-term basis.

The barns haven’t been a high priority for construction. They may become meeting rooms some day.

Construction on the exterior of the house is complete. The building was done without plans, around a period house built from a Sears and Roebuck kit.

Read the rest of this entry →