Farming

16-month-old Maizlee Raesz sits with her grandmother Kari Raesz as the farm crew takes a supper break  along County Road 414 during corn harvest of brothers Shaun and Steven Raesz  on Friday, July 10, 2026.  Kari is Shaun’s wife.  Maizlee is the daughter of Shaun’ and Kari’s  son Montgomery and his wife Madalynn.  The ear of corn she’s holding was just a play toy for Maizlee.   These East Williamson County farmers are harvesting over 4,000 acres of corn this year.    Photo by Andy Sharp

16-month-old Maizlee Raesz sits with her grandmother Kari Raesz as the farm crew takes a supper break along County Road 414 during corn harvest of brothers Shaun and Steven Raesz on Friday, July 10, 2026. Kari is Shaun’s wife. Maizlee is the daughter of Shaun’ and Kari’s son Montgomery and his wife Madalynn. The ear of corn she’s holding was just a play toy for Maizlee. These East Williamson County farmers are harvesting over 4,000 acres of corn this year. Photo by Andy Sharp

Family, corn continue to grow on 4,000 acres

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.
A tractor makes its way along West Davilla Street in downtown Granger on Sunday, February 22, 2026.   Photo by Andy Sharp

A tractor makes its way along West Davilla Street in downtown Granger on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Photo by Andy Sharp

Across the tracks

A tractor makes its way along West Davilla Street in downtown Granger on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Photo by Andy Sharp
Overnight and early-morning rain adorns a field of thriving wheat along County Road 367 on Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.

Overnight and early-morning rain adorns a field of thriving wheat along County Road 367 on Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.

Golden opportunity with this year’s wheat harvest

Several years ago, photographing a wheat harvest near Bartlett, I was riding in a combine with a farmer as he navigated his equipment through a field. The late-day light gracing the golden crop was so inspiring, I asked if it was okay to get out and document it from the field.
With his night lights shining, a farmer works a field along F.M. 619 a little north of U.S. 79  on Wednesday, February 28.    Photo by Andy Sharp

With his night lights shining, a farmer works a field along F.M. 619 a little north of U.S. 79 on Wednesday, February 28. Photo by Andy Sharp

Preparing the fields

Farmers in East Williamson County start preparing their fields for this year's crop.