"Focus on the Farm" highlights Newman family farm

NEWMAN, Ill. (WAND) -- If you travel the back roads of Central Illinois you have more than likely passed a family farm or two.

And one Newman farmer has been working on his family farm for 40 years.

"I was born and raised on a farm in Edgar County. And then when I met my wife, I moved up here and started farming with her father." said Neal Wood.

For Wood, farming is a lifestyle.

"We don't make a lot of money. But, you have time for your family. You can make time for a lot of things. You're not punching a clock, but yet you're working a lot of hours." said Wood.

Over the years, Wood has seen the advancement of technology and equipment get bigger.

"I've seen a lot of growing up. I started on an H tractor with a 10 foot disk. That's what my dad put me on. And, most of our equipment wasn't over 15 feet wide at the time. Now, the corn planter is 60 feet wide and the sprayer is 90 to 120. It's just gotten bigger and better." said Wood.

Farming doesn't always come easy. There is a constant worry about the grain markets and if there is rain in the forecast.

But, there is also a constant reminder that farmers have a big impact on their community.

"I think that the farmer supports everybody. He supports your farmer's market, your elevators, your fertilizer plants, Rural Kings. The agriculture sector is a huge part of Illinois." said Wood.

With the big weight on a farmer's shoulder.

Wood is grateful for the progress in the farming industry.

"You know, my grandfather always told me that, a good man could harvest 40 acres in a season hand-picking corn. And I just thank goodness for progress because I don't know who could do it today." said Wood.

WAND's Jacob Gordon is looking for submissions for the next "Focus on the Farm."

You can contact him by email jacob.gordon@wandtv.com or on his facebook page.