At Ohio Living Dorothy Love, we’re fortunate to have residents who spent their lives living and working hard on the farm. On National Farmer’s Day, we’re sharing the farming experiences of Harold and Kathleen Covault, Sharon Thatcher and Carol Prenger.
Harold and Kathleen Covault
For Harold Covault, the journey into farming began in his senior year of high school when he started working for his grandfather. That early experience grew into a full-fledged livelihood with corn, soybeans and a thriving livestock operation.
“We had a 100-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation,” Harold shared. “And 15,500 laying hens with cages, automatic egg belts, feeders and waterers. Farming is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week job. You have to enjoy the work.”
With weather and low grain prices looming, it wasn’t easy. Harold insists farming remains one of the most rewarding occupations, however, for those who love being outdoors and working with their hands.
Now retired, Harold and his wife Kathleen find comfort in their apartment view at Ohio Living Dorothy Love. “It’s nice to see the corn fields across the road,” they noted.
Sharon Thatcher
Sharon Thatcher was born a farmer’s daughter, and farming was a way of life on both sides of her family.
“Weather was always a big challenge,” Sharon recalled. “Hail damage, drought or insect damage could make or break our bank account.”
Beyond the fields, Sharon sometimes encountered misconceptions, like the idea that farmers don’t care about the land. “Some city people think farmers are destructive,” explained Sharon. “But most farmers love the land and want to do right by it.”
Now living at Ohio Living Dorothy Love, Sharon loves being surrounded by farmland like she did in her youth. “I love the solitude and the ability to walk so near nature,” she added.
A painting of her childhood farmhouse hangs in her home and serves as a reminder of where it all began.
“Don’t criticize farmers with your mouths and bellies full,” warned Sharon. “Our farming communities in the U.S. are strong and resilient.”
Carol Prenger
Carol Prenger’s roots also ran deep in the farming industry, and her father farmed 200 acres south of Wapakoneta, Ohio.
“As soon as I could reach the pedals, I had to scoot down from the seat to start our Farmall tractor,” Carol recalled.
Carol’s family farmed corn, wheat, oats, soybeans and hay, along with cows, hogs and chickens. One year they tried sheep, but after helping shear them, Carol learned the hard way she was allergic to wool.
Life on the farm was tough and physical. Carol recalls riding the wheat binder all day, unloading shocks of grain, only to wake up at night still "tripping" her leg in her dreams.
“Some people think farmers are rich,” Carol pointed out. “But farmers have lots of expenses, like feed, fertilizer and equipment repairs. There are no paid vacations, no time off. It’s a very hard job. Your livelihood depends on the weather.”
Despite the challenges her family faced on the farm, today, Carol enjoys the scenes around Ohio Living Dorothy Love. “You can see the fields being worked and the crops growing,” she said. “It is a safe environment here.”