WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — Sixty-two-year-old Tom Brown of West Liberty died when the UTV he was driving was struck by a vehicle in July. His wife, Diane survived, and is recovering. Their only child,  Jessica Schroeder is organizing a neighborhood effort to harvest the family’s corn crop this coming Friday.

“My dad was an amazing man. He farmed for over 40 years,” said Schroeder. “Our family farm, which was actually established in the same year that Iowa became a state. He’s lived on the farm, his whole life and I actually grew up on that same farm until I left at 18 to head to Iowa State.”

The plan is to have 10 combines, 10 grain carts, and 16 grain hauling semi-trucks all assisting with the harvest.

“This whole process has taught me so much about farming and the respect that I have for farmers. Now I already had respect for them, but even more respect,” said Schroeder. “Honestly, it’s been really, really fun to jump in and you know trying to be even, even half of what my dad was, you know every day I’m asking myself ‘What would Dad have done?’”

The harvest will begin at 8:30 a.m. with all those helping to pose for a picture and then heading to the field at 9:00 a.m. Friday, October 25.