Christmas greetings from Harvey Gjesdal

Harvey Gjesdal, a farmer and machinery inventor from Birch Hills, Sask., wrote for Grainews regularly from 1976 to 2000. He wrote us a letter recently. I put a few snippets in Wheat & Chaff in the December issue, which will hit mailboxes next week. The complete version follows.

Here is the whole letter:

A number of years have now passed since I shared thoughts with many of you through Grainews. They were great years and it was a real joy to share all kinds of thoughts with you, as well as receiving your thoughts.

In January I will reach my 87th birthday and that nine-mile trip to the farm 300 days each year is still part of the joy of farming.

Many of my home-built machines are still in use and one of my most recent projects was to put a 100-page album together of projects I have worked on since I was 10 years old. This of course means more to the owner than it does to anyone else except the family, who have each asked for a copy.

The two most important machines I have developed were the rotary snow plows in 1948 and the Gjesdal grain cleaner in 1978. The snow plows had a good run until about 1960, at which time rural roads were all greatly improved for year-round travel. Local municipalities since the 1950s have also taken over the road conditions in most rural areas.

The grain cleaner was patented in 1982 and since patents are legal for 17 years, there were no more royalties as of 1999. Production has continued with several manufacturers and as of January 2009, Flaman Sales of Southey will show three new models at the Farm Production Show in Saskatoon. Flaman Sales operate on a large scale, with outlets in Edmonton, Lethbridge, Nisku, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Southey and Yorkton.

It has been a great year in the farming industry, with good moisture, no frost, good harvesting conditions and bins overflowing. We see many plastic bins around the country.

Lorna, our youngest daughter, has taken a great interest in our farming operation and has become very capable. Nancy, our other daughter has become very active in the medical field and is now working in Calgary and surrounding hospitals. Our son, Roger, has become an Alberta resident, too, and has taken a keen interest in trucking and the oil industry.

Jennie and I both have roots that go deep into farm life, plus we have traveled to 20 countries around the world. We have never regretted spending money on travels, even though the most enjoyable part is coming home again.

A very special Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who I met during my years as a small contributor to Grainews.