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Good Neighbors Help Farmer in Need

Posted: 4:48 PM May 28, 2012
Reporter: Dave Byknish

Good Neighbors Help Farmer in Need

Walt Winkler is a cattle farmer who's health took a turn for the worst but a few good neighbors stepped in to help him with work around the farm.

“You know, here I am sitting,” said Winkler. “I would rather be up there but because of the situation, you know, I know I have to be here and put that aside for now.”

Six years ago Winkler was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. He thought he had beaten it until it started coming back this past winter. Because of clots caused by chemo, he was not able to do the important work that he has to on his farm.

“The hay is ripe now. It is ready to come off. It's best to get it off now before it gets old and stemmy. The cattle like it better.”

Jordan Weaver, a life-long neighbor familiar with Winkler's health troubles, knew he was behind schedule.

“Time was against him,” said Weaver. “Especially with his condition right now. So then when we found out about the blood clots. We decided, you know, it's time for us to step in as a community and help.”

It would normally take Winkler four weeks to get his 47-acres of hay baled but with the helps of his friends, they would have it done by the end of Monday.

“This is part of the attitude that we have in this community,” said Winkler. “Where, you know, if somebody needs help somebody will pitch in to do the help.”

Weaver said it was easy to get the community involved.

“We didn't have to convince anybody,” said Weaver. “All we had to do was just start calling a few neighbors here, neighbor farmers. And we asked them 'Hey can we borrow rakes? Can we borrow balers?'”

Fifty people offered to help Winkler and he could not believe it.

“It's so gratifying to have the neighbors and friend that you know to come,” said Winkler. “It's hard to describe. It's overwhelming to me personally.”

Winkler's doctors put him on blood thinners to help with the clotting. He should be able to be back on the farm within a couple of weeks.

Follow Dave Byknish on Twitter.