Caught in the crossfire of a highly contested area in Ukraine, Gordie Siebring lives among bombings and desolation. He describes cities where 90% of the buildings are demolished by rocket fire, electrical systems are rendered to spaghetti and stores shelves are void of food, clothing, tools and even pet food.
Northern Ukraine has a wide variety of farming operations, ranging from primitive homesteads where most of the work is done by hand to farms with equipment guided by GPS. Shown here is a farmer transporting straw with a horse drawn cart to store in the barn until needed in winter.
Imported equipment is common for tillage, planting and harvest machinery in Ukraine, such as this combine used to harvest wheat last summer at Siebring’s farm.
Siebring rents about 5,000 acres from Ukrainian landholders, each owning about 5 to 7 acres. Some landowners prefer cash, whereas others choose grain payment to feed their livestock. These are local villagers collecting their rent payment.
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A Russian orthodox church in a Ukrainian village was bombed. Siebring said, “I have no idea why it was hit with a rocket but for some reason they decided it needed to be destroyed.”
A Russian orthodox church in a Ukrainian village was bombed. Siebring said, “I have no idea why it was hit with a rocket but for some reason they decided it needed to be destroyed.”
Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.
Kristen Sindelar
Agriculture Reporter
