JWM
, Jj»
*
At H *
Jtk
#S { '
**
" *
, - *
# *9
V
' '* ' * ' ■./
The Hoover family stands In front of two of the four farms and additional edges the town of Denver. Despite a hectic work load, Hoover said that he Is
rented ground that they farm In the Denver area. Eugene Hoover calls himself learning to slow down and enjoy his family, Bonnie and children Cody, 8;
a city farmer because much of his land borders housing developements and Jody> 5; and Cole, 21 months.
Workaholic Learns New Perspective On Living
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Staff
DENVER (Lancaster Co.)
“When you’re six feet under, what
you did on earth doesn’t matter —
except family,” said Eugene
Hoover.
Coming from a self-professed
workaholic with a never-ending
workload of farming 500 acres and
finishing 1,000 head of cattle, that
statement clarifies Hoover’s
attempt to spend more time enjoy
ing his family.
Hoover balanced
Jody on one knee as he scooped up
21-month-old Cole.
“I just love this,” Hoover said as
he hugged his children. “I used to
be so busy with my own life, I
didn’t take time to pay attention to
the family. I put my wife through
many hard years.”
His wife Bonnie returned his
smile and said, “I’m very proud of
my husband. He’s changed com
pletely. He’s open and caring. He
talks about his feelings. He spends
time with the children and shows
po
Jody and brother Cole share his appreciation for animals.
» » *• ✓
✓ , * **&' w
*r - *,
' /
/
'* * *
Work Is No Lon
affection. We’re closer because of
what we’ve been through.”
The catalyst for bringing about a
change wasn’t less work for Hoov
er, but a change of perspective
brought about by a nervous
breakdown.
Hoover is very candid in dis
cussing his breakdown and recov
ery. “It was the best thing that ever
happen to me. I learned how to
handle stress, to stop and take
breaks. Instead of looking to the
future and being overwhelmed, I
take one day at a time,” he said.
Looking back. Hoover believes
the symptoms were evident of a
massive breakdown long before it
happened, but he was too busy to
recognize it
Of that time, five years ago.
Hoover said, “I had a complete
nervous breakdown. My fuel tank
was empty.! couldn’t even get out
of bed.”
He also lost about 30 pounds, a
substantial amount for a man his
size.
Hoover said that like many with
m mm
%, V
ir
f.
'
agricultural loots, he grew up in a
farm family with a strong work
ethic. “I felt good when I worked
and guilty when I rested,” he said.
The problem was that Hoover’s
body couldn’t maintain the seven
day round-the-clock work that he
thought necessary.
He was too busy to talk with his
wife, too busy to play with the
children, and too busy to enjoy life.
After admittance to a psychiatr
ic hospital. Hoover was forced to
take a hard look at his life.
“For 30 years I was taught one
way, then total strangers told me to
do things differently,” Hoover said
of the psychological help he
received through his hospitaliza
tion at Philhaven Hospital.
That’s when Hoover realized
that he loved his wife and children
but his actions were driving them
apart. He began to express his
thoughts to his wife. He became
generous in giving hugs and atten
tion to his children.
“It amazes me. The more I
changed, the more my family
seemed to change.”
Since Hoover’s breakdown, the
couple had a son Cole, who is 21
months old.
“I’m able to see the youngest
grow up like I’ve never saw the
others,” Hoover said of his two
oldest children, Cody, 8, and Jody,
5. When Hoover marvels at the
precociousness of his toddler, he is
amazed when his wife tells him
that the two older children accom
plished the same feats at that stage
of life.
He was too busy to notice.
“My attitude was ‘take care of
me first and you next’”
But there was never time to care
for anyone else because the crops
needed to be planted or harvested,
equipment repaired, or cattle
tended.
“Now it’s my family first,”
Hoover said.
er #1 Priorit
That doesn’t mean Hoover has
*
#
For This Farmer
Bonnie and the children often accompany Hoover to one
of the four farms. Hoover built this chuck wagon to haul the
paper egg cartons and newsprint that he picks up locally
and uses for bedding.
become lax in his farm work. He
still farms as much acreage as
before and cares for as much stock.
He’d prefer to cut back a bit, but
said, “Renting the place it’s an
estate comes as a package. To
make ends meet, the bams must be
full.”
Hoover rents what local people
know as Triple G Farms In Denver.
Hoover had been farm manager for
Triple G before he was given the
option to lease it four years ago.
Although Hoover rents addi-
Homestead
NOTES
**, ' 'r ✓
tional land, he said, “We can’t
grow enough to feed all the ani
mals, but try to have enough for
ages, which include silage, hay,
shelled com, and fodder.”
All the manure from fattening
900 steers and 100 heifers can be
used on the land, which is another
incentive for boarding animals.
Hoover has one full-time hired
man and several seasonal workers.
In addition,- his brother and dad
'V' ' ~
(Turn to Page B 3)