Young farmers enjoy rural life

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Jake Rieder (left) and brother Joey check out the new CAT Challenger, just one of the many displays at the recent Corpus Christi Farm and Ranch Show. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

January 29, 2004 -- When Jake Rieder, 19, and his brother, Joey, 17, of Sinton attend a farm and ranch show, there's not a lot about any of the displays and educational meetings of which they aren't familiar.

Attending the recent Corpus Christi Farm and Ranch Show, the brothers were enjoying sitting in the newest equipment and meeting up with a number of friends they have made over the years.

The Rieders said it all began when their dad decided he wanted to have land and farm, when they were really young. Although they said they are "just second generation" farmers, it's obvious how much they have enjoyed being brought up in the country.

Home-schooled by their mother, they and an older brother studied in the mornings, or "until Dad came in and got us to help out with something on the farm!"

It must have worked well, as both guys are in their first year at Coastal Bend Community College, and Jake is majoring in Ag Science. Joey isn't sure just what he wants to do, but feels his background on the farm and being home-schooled will enable him to have a lot of choices.

Both young men have been taught to drive tractors, plant, cultivate, disk and strip the crops, among other things. While they said they farm around 5,000 acres, a little over 1,000 acres belongs to the family. According to them, their dad started purchasing the acreage in various amounts of land, and continues to add more as he can.

Not only did their mom home-school her sons, but they said she, also, taught them to cook and take care of themselves. While they were younger, they participated in the local 4-H Club and exhibited pigs, chickens and steers.

When asked what growing up in agriculture has done for him, Joey said he feels like he "knows more than other kids" due to the responsibility he was given farming, and learning to deal with problems. Jake agreed, and added that it has given them a lot more "common sense" than some young people their ages.

As far as a "down" side to the way they were reared, each young man was eager to say there has been "no down side" ... just a lot of rewarding work and a great sense of responsibility.