Culture Beat – Craig Worrell, 92, is a farmer from Cozad, Nebraska who celebrated earlier this month after he completed his 70th harvest with the help of four generations of his family ranging in age from 2 to his very own 92.
GENERATIONAL FARMING: Craig Worrell's two-year-old great-grandson joined in on the harvest too! https://t.co/07s4D6Nboe
— WMTV 15 News (@wmtv15news) November 14, 2023
Craig’s 70th Harvest
Craig can recall using horses to harvest the planes on his farm in his youth, but he now uses John Deere combine to supply the horsepower.
“I was pretty young. We used to drive tractors and horses,” Craig recalled to WBAY. “A couple years, I was in the service. I wasn’t home then, but I don’t think I missed a harvest since I got out in ‘54.”
“GPS, I don’t have to steer,” he added to Nebraska TV of his. “Just amazing.”
When asked why he loves working the harvest, Craig replied that it gives him “a reason to get up every morning, move and do something.”
Craig’s grandson Evan typically drives the grain cart until 5pm, when his grandfather ends his day of farming. To celebrate Craig’s 70th harvest being finished, Evan brought his two year-old son along on the tractor on the last day for some “daddy daycare.”
“There’s a 90-year difference between my grandpa and my youngest kid, so it’s pretty crazy,” Evan said.
Craig’s sons Jeff and Dennis Worrell, who do much of the farming these days, joined them as well.
“It’s a family affair,” Craig said.
Find out more about this in the video below.
Craig’s Wife Of 73 Years Shows Up
Craig’s beloved wife Betty, who he’s been married to for 73 years, pulled up at one point to bring the men burgers and snickerdoodle cookies.
“My grandma brining lunch every day for harvest, very fortunate,” Evan said. “It’s kind of like if you’re deer hunting and you’re in the blind. Tastes a lot better out there. Same thing with her burgers. Can’t get any better.”
“She’s my rock. We get along good,” Craig said of his wife, adding that their birthdays are just three weeks apart, something she playfully reminds him of often.
“She bosses me for 22 days. It’s unbearable around my house,” he said with a laugh, with Betty chiming in to say, “73 Years we’ve been married. 22 days older than he.”
Like a good farmer’s wife, Betty enjoys keeping everyone fed.
“Part time book keeper and lunch lady,” she said with a laugh. “I grill hamburgers and bake cookies.”
After meeting in college, Craig and Betty had four children, some of whom are now enjoying retirements. Craig, however, has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
“Very blessed we’ve stuck together, four great kids,” he said. “Just like every farmer, you have bad years, tough years, hail, breakdowns. Always have unexpected things. That’s life.”
His kids are old enough to be retired but during harvest Craig Worrell still operates the combine as he's done for decades. '@NTVsSteveWhite has more on the Cozad couple still very much active in the family farm at age 92:
https://t.co/XisNrobzkn— NTV's Grow (@NTVsGrow) November 9, 2023
Craig Looking Forward To Next Year
While his sons do most of the hard work these days, Craig enjoys working the combine, which he says is as comfy as his living room. He’s hoping that he’ll be able to come back next year to continue working the farm he loves.
“As long as I don’t foul up too bad in here,” he stated with a smile.
Now that this year’s harvest is complete, Craig is already excited about getting back on the combine for his 71st!
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