Rob: Times are a changing down on the farm.
From global competition to new technology, America's farmers are facing
challenges previous generations never knew.
Dustin Mielke introduces us to an Oklahoma family that has met such
challenges with diversification, earning them the Farm Bureau's
farm family of the year award.
Dustin Mielke: Diversity is more than just a buzzword for Dennis and
Elaine Flaming.
It's a way of life for the Fairview, Oklahoma couple, who just a few years ago
had a wheat and cattle operation.
Dennis and Elaine expanded their agricultural operation to include
alfalfa, a vineyard, and a winery - just to name some of the many endeavors they
are involved in.
Their wide array of enterprises helped Dennis and Elaine rise to the top
to be named Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Farm Family of the Year.
To start their vineyard, Dennis and Elaine took advantage of their area's
soil and vineyard-rich history to plant their own vines and open a winery.
Dennis Flaming: We opened up a small building here that we use for a winery.
We do the bottling and sales room here, and storage.
The pressing and processing after the grape harvest which will start
here this next month, this is one area that we felt we needed to get into and
sell the end product, whether it's grape juice for the kids and wine for
the adults.
But it's the end product where you're going to make the money.
Mielke: To supplement the production agriculture, Elaine runs not just one,
but two successful businesses in downtown Fairview.
In addition to a real estate agency, Elaine runs Agri-placements
International, which matches agricultural producers and businesses
that need seasonal workers with laborers from across the globe.
Elaine Flaming: We do the documentation for the employers here, getting
all the approval through the U S Department of Labor and on to Homeland
Security, getting the visas approved, and then working directly with the
consulates in those countries to get them cleared to come.
Mielke: The diversity the Flamings have created helps counter the
adversity that Oklahoma's volatile climate can pose.
The extremes in weather during the past two years, combined with increasing
costs, have made times more difficult.
Through the struggles, however, the Flamings have stayed hopeful while
looking forward.
Elaine: You must enjoy your work as you go along.
If you do not enjoy farming, and are only in it thinking that you can
make a living off of it, that is not it; but if you enjoy it, to me success is
the joy in everyday living as you go along.
Mielke: And at the end of a very busy day, Dennis says it comes down to the
lifestyle and work that keeps them excited about agriculture.
Dennis: It's the heritage that we both grew up with.
Our grandparents have been farmers and, it's doing it for yourself and doing it
on your own, and making it survive, and making it work.