| Great-great grandpa Lars Severson and wife (front center) and Great grandpa Severt (back row standing) with sisters. |
| Great-great grandpa Lars Severson immigrated from Norway in 1866 and eventually settled in Garfield township, Illinois where he farmed and is now buried. Seversons still farm there today. Brian immigrated west a few miles to Goodfarm township in 1989 to the place displayed below on the right. |
| The picture of the label on the left is not my farm. My place doesn't look like the traditional old time farmstead. The picture is however that of my grandpa's place. The horse emblems represent the other (Severson) side of the family. These emblems have been displayed on at least 5 generations of Severson barns. | |
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| I began by raising corn, soybeans and pigs. After a few years I met a pretty girl who not only loved me but the farm also. | |
| Over the years I haven't changed the emblem displayed on
my barn, but I have changed the way I cultivate. On the left is
grandpa Severson's brother cultivating corn in 1917. I then "progressed" to a 12 row rear mount
cultivator when I began farming. (top right) With the addition of organic crops however, I have
"regressed" to a front mount 12 row cultivator, needed to better
control weeds without chemical herbicides.
On the right is my son cultivating with a 1972 John Deere 4000 (the last year John Deere made a tractor capable of mounting the even older front mount cultivator). Which is still far easier than using horses. |
| I have quit raising pigs, and in addition to corn and soybeans have begun raising organic field peas, sweet corn and the best crop of all; kids. | |
| Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 |