Minnesota Prairie Roots

IF THEY WEREN’T WORKING the land, farmers along a stretch between Mankato and west of New Ulm were preparing to plant on Saturday.

Everywhere, these tenders of the earth steered tractors along roadways and through fields, hurrying to prep the soil and seed crops during this year’s delayed planting season.

Seed bags topped wagons and pick-up trucks.

Mammoth tractors pulling equally mammoth implements crept along rural roadways.

Sky and land swallowed small scale tractors.

On a rare occasion dust flew in the field.

And I took it all in, savoring this sweet time in the growing cycle as only one born and raised on a farm can.

This place, this land, still claims my heart each spring, each summer, each fall, through the seasons of planting and growing and harvest.

Photos were taken along U.S. Highway 14 and along Brown County Road 29.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling