Determined: The one word that best describes Klamath Basin irrigators 

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Reporter

November 2, 2010

   My one word to describe Klamath Basin irrigators after this irrigation season?

   Determined.

   I don’t interact with farmers and ranchers as much as I did when I covered agricultural issues for the Herald and News several years ago but, like all the paper’s reporters, I have reported on the situation this season and “determined” is the word I think of after talking with an irrigator, whether by phone, in a field or on a ranch.  

   To say it’s been a difficult season would be an understatement.

   More than water

   Along with the water shortage that impacted hundreds of ranchers and farmers, we’ve had weird weather. It’s often been too cool or too wet when it needs to be hot and dry.

   The economic situation added another layer to many irrigators’ worries. Even though the recession is over, it’s still hard to secure financing, which makes it harder for the   people in the fields to get the equipment and materials they need and hard for the people who provide that equipment and materials to stay in business.

   Most people aren’t always thrilled with their job or career because everything can’t be perfect.

   Perspective

   But farmers seem to have a different take on the situation. They may complain about the weather or the price of their crops at any given time, but they stick with agriculture.

   It appears more and more that people switch jobs and careers almost every few years. I’m not surprised anymore when I hear about acquaintances from college who radically changed careers because they were worn out or their jobs didn’t hold their attention.

   Farmers, while at times frustrated or disheartened, appear more willing to take the bad with the good.

   The weather may be terrible, a pest may have struck a field or a well may have gone dry, but they still seek to look forward, to make it work. In an era when people seem more concerned about immediate gratification and happiness, it’s good to see that some people are concerned about the big picture and are determined in what they do.