| |
Septmeber 2005
A Way of Life
Dear Friends,
Many of you have never heard of Roy Reiman, but most of you are probably familiar with Farm and Ranch Living magazine, Country, Country Woman, Country Discoveries, Taste of Home, Birds and Blooms, Reminisce and an entire stable of other rural life magazines he has published since 1970.
Three weeks ago, I had the great honor of not only listening to Roy talk about the development of his magazine empire in person at a conference, but I actually was able to visit with him personally for about a half an hour afterward about farming and farm life.
When other farm magazines began dropping their lifestyle sections back in the early 1970’s and opting for formats that focused entirely on the business aspects of agriculture, Roy saw an opportunity to do something different.
Farming is more than a business, Roy explained. It is a way of life.
To that I would add, "Amen!"
Roy succeeded in the publishing business because he knew farmers and their families. He knew that even in bad times, farmers did what they did for more than pure profit. They wanted to read about the business aspects of farming, but they needed to hear about the lighter, more heart-warming side of agriculture that kept them going even when times were tough.
Wall Street stiffs and publishing gurus might have scoffed at Roy’s early attempts to publish magazines for rural folks that they considered hicks. But they aren’t laughing any more. Roy’s magazines – thirteen in all – now go out to one in every ten Americans. A few of his individual magazines have subscriptions that eclipse Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Time magazines combined.
The point of Roy’s story for me was that he understands something that we often forget. Growing up as the son of a tenant Iowa farmer, Roy knew that living a happy life was just as important to most farmers as making a living.
That is a lesson that we all have to remember. The almighty dollar rules many of our actions. Rightfully so, because we have to pay the bills. But family, faith and enjoying the special things about living on a farm and ranch is what keeps us doing what we do every day.
Now I’d like to ask your help. Send an email to me over the next month, telling me about your favorite aspects of living and working on a farm. Why do you farm? Tell me about those special vistas on your place that take your breath away. Explain to me how you feel when you are out in the pasture, playing ball with the kids or when you witness the spectacular starry sky or see a calf being born.
I will collect your stories in a file and share them with readers from time to time in this column over the next year, to help remind us all about the blessings of our lives, our families and our farms. Email me today at bowview@bloomnet.com. I look forward to hearing your stories.
Talk with you next week.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Website design by:
Kim Sawatzke
Professional Results,
Reasonable Prices!
