I have through their writings become acquainted with many historians and writers. In a previous blog I wrote about David McCullough. Another writer and historian that I admire is Jerry Apps. Apps lives in Wisconsin and is a prolific author and has produced several PBS documentaries on farming and growing up on a farm in Wisconsin. Here is a link to the Wisconsin State Historical Society online book shop that sells many of his books and PBS public television documentaries. The books and DVDs are also available via your local public library or your local library’s interlibrary loan services.

The information that I learned from Mr. Apps was the fact that living and working on a family farm was tough, dirty, dusty,and neverending. It also solidified by believe in the value of family and in the importance of helping your neighbor.