Daughters Help Dad Operate Wisconsin Farm

Daughters Help Dad Operate Wisconsin Farm AG WORLD Ag World 9-4-18 In years past, a son was a cherished offspring because he could carry on the family's name, but more importantly, he could help his father in the field and barn. A daughter was one who could help in the house, but offered little aid to a farmer in desperate need of help outside. For Dave and Laura Triebold, however, their three daughters have provided as much help and enjoyment as any son. Daughters Karla, Kristine and Kathleen have been helping with chores on the 700-acre Triebold farm, located near Elkhorn, Wis., since their childhood. They love farming and readily admit they would rather work in the fields than do housework. Each of them operates her own tractor. They don't like the others to drive it. They each wash and polish their tractor and take a lot of pride in its appearance. The girls rise at 7:00 a.m. each morning during the planting and harvest season. By 8:00 a.m., they're out in the fields at work. They work until dark. Their tractor cabs are equipped with radios and air conditioned for comfort. Each of the girls has been taught minor repair work on the machinery by their father. He maintains all the machinery. "We've erected storage bins for about 60,000 bushels of grain on our farm. Dave and the girls built all the structures," notes Mrs. Triebold. "They put the structures up themselves ù including the elevator legs. The girls worked side by side with their dad. It took them about five years to complete, each year building a new grain bin." To show their appreciation for their daughters' help in the fields, the parents take them on a month-long vacation each year in December. They've been doing it for the past 12 years. "We usually go to the Carribean Islands where the climate is warm and we can swim, relax and sight-see," says Mrs. Triebold. "During the summer they have something to plan and work for. "We know a certain family relationship and togetherness which many families don't know. We never cease being grateful for our three lovely daughters that have blessed our marriage." The oldest daughter, Kathleen, 20, is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she is majoring in accounting. Karla, 17 started college last fall and aspires to become a veterinarian. Kristine, 16, is a senior at Whitewater High School. She wants to enter the marketing field.

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