Every year, custom harvesters travel the country to cut wheat and other crops for farmers who don’t have the equipment or manpower to do it themselves, a service that is vital to agriculture in America.
In the documentary "Life On The Harvest Run," Tiger Media Network's 2024 summer interns explore the lives of two custom harvesting families from Kansas — the Beforts from Hays and the Froeses from Inman.
Both families face challenges during the summer harvest, from unpredictable weather to equipment breakdowns to technology issues. However, they continue each year and get the job done. "Life On The Harvest Run" examines whether or not the next generation of these families will be willing to take on the challenges in the future.
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About the Creators
"Life On The Harvest Run" was made by Ryan Schuckman, Raegan Neufeld and John Billinger. All three are studying Digital Media Production and Journalism at Fort Hays State University.
“I think that the interviews went well,” Schuckman said of the experience. “We were able to get a really interesting perspective from everyone. I am very proud of how we made the story, took what everyone said in the interviews, and made a really interesting documentary.”
“This is something that I think I knew beforehand, but this experience has kind of reinforced that working with other people is very beneficial,” Neufeld said. “We each have our own strengths, and it would’ve been difficult without any one of us.”
“Not only are we learning how to work as a team, but we’re also learning about events and history we wouldn't have known otherwise,” Billinger said. “It helps preserve their stories and experiences for generations to come.”