Chase Hand and Thomas Boggs assisted Robert Frantz, far right, on Monday, Nov. 8, by harvesting soybeans among other chores. Frantz’s wife passed away Oct. 19. InkFreeNews photos by Phoebe Banks.

By Phoebe Banks
Staff Writer

The Hoosier Homestead Award was given to the Frantz farm in 2020.

WARSAW — A Warsaw farmer is getting some help with his harvest this week thanks to a group of other farmers.

Robert Frantz recently lost his wife, Ruth Ann, 82, to COVID after a month of being in the hospital.

The farmers are taking a break from their own harvests to help Frantz out. The farmers are Ed Boggs, Mark Montel, Sam Brown, and Mike Wertenberger.

“You see this out west all the time,” said Ed’s wife, Tammy Boggs.

Three combines and four semi trucks were in the field Monday, Nov. 8. They harvested fields of soybeans on Frantz’s property, among other related chores.

Ed organized the event after Frantz’s wife died Oct. 19. Ed said he’s known the Frantz family for many years and just wanted to help.

“I’ve known the family forever,” Ed said. “We are just doing what God wants us to do. It feels good to help.”

Frantz said he appreciates all the help he has been given. He and his wife were married for 63 years.

The Frantz farm is a Hoosier Homestead Farm, which means it has been owned by the same family for over 100 years. The award is given by Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The Frantz farm dates back to 1918, and in 2020, it received the Centennial Award for 100 years.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, a farm must be kept in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. The farm must consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.

“I really appreciate it,” Frantz said. “It feels good.”

Chase Hand was another farmer helping out as was Thomas Boggs, who said he too felt the urge to help Frantz.

“I am just helping a friend,” he said. “I just wanted to help him out and give him a hand.”

A group of farmers helped harvest soybeans for a Robert Frantz, a Warsaw farmer, after his wife died last month.

Robert Frantz rides on his tractor Monday, Nov. 8, while other men helped him harvest.