Follow the Light
Photographing the corn harvests of the Raesz family through the years has been a blessing.
Brothers Shaun Raesz, 51, and Steven, 49, continue the work begun by their father, Arnold Raesz, who turned over the mantle to them a few years back. This year, Shaun, Steven and their crew are harvesting over 4,000 acres throughout East Williamson County, a job that will take them about three weeks.
Shaun is recovering from back-to-back knee replacement surgeries, one in March, followed by a second in April. He carries on, only taking the occasional ibuprofen.
The family has helpers, including Shaun’s sons, Montgomery, 26, and Maverick, 23. Steven’s longtime life partner, Kate Kennedy, is there to help as truckloads of harvested corn arrive at the family’s six grain bins. Kate’s day job is coaching volleyball and teaching in Granger ISD, but after working with Steven for 16 years, she’s well-suited to this work.
Like many farm families during harvest, evening suppers are conducted in the field, the combines, grain collection bins and tractors providing cover from the elements. Meals are usually prepared by family members. Kari Raesz, Shaun’s wife, often lends a hand. One evening the meals were prepared by Telisha Richardson, Shaun and Steven’s sister.
On the first evening, as the crew gathered for supper, a rainbow formed in the east, adding a touch of warmth to the scene. Montgomery and his wife Madalynn were with their 16-month-old Maizlee Raesz, who was one happy toddler as she sat with grandma Kari, holding onto an ear of corn, wearing her “Farm Girl” blouse. When it was time to get back to work, Maizlee joined mom and dad in the combine as they powered through the fields. Maverick, sometimes accompanied by Mikala, his fiancee, drove a second combine. Maverick and Mikala are getting married in October.
Shaun’s sons have careers away from the farm, but they juggle their work to help. Montgomery works in banking at Eagle Bank in Round Rock. Maverick is employed by Nutrien Ag Solutions in Circleville.
Most of the corn harvested in this area is used for livestock feed, but every farmer I’ve documented also sets aside a small plot for sweet corn.
As the area continues to grow it’s worth reminding drivers to be patient as farmers guide their equipment from one field to another. They’ve been here a long time.