A well-known Ohio farmer, whose image was used in a popular social media meme touting the value of “hard work,” has died after being injured in a vehicle accident in Illinois.
David Brandt, 76, was a nationally known no-till advocate who traveled the country speaking on sustainable farming techniques and soil health. However, he gained notoriety for comments he made at a Natural Resources Conservation Service event on his farm in 2012.
Brandt was injured in an accident in Urbana, Illinois last Thursday and succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
While discussing his profession, Brandt said, “It’s not much, but it’s honest work,” a statement that became a symbol of traditional values and work ethic after being turned into a meme a few years later.
David Brandt, 76, a respected Ohio farmer who became part of a popular meme, died Thursday after an accident in Illinois
Brandt gained widespread recognition for his quip, “It’s not much, but it’s honest work,” which was turned into a meme in 2012
Initially unaware of the concept of memes, he became known for his advocacy of no-till farming and sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on soil health
Relatives said Brandt enjoyed the meme, which showed him standing in a field in overalls, although he didn’t know what a meme was until he learned he was one from a bank teller, who showed him the picture on her phone .
“(Brandt) had great joy after seeing (the meme) and seeing it explode everywhere!” “He didn’t mind at all,” Randall Reeder told dem Columbus shipping.
“He was determined to educate farmers about the value of conservation agriculture and how it would improve soil health,” Reeder said.
Brandt grew up on a farm, but when his father died in a tractor accident, the farm had to be sold to pay inheritance taxes.
Brandt, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, and his wife Kendra began no-till farming in 1971 to cut costs.
Brandt (left) was well known in the farming community for his soil treatments
Brandt is pictured in a photo from his farm’s website
Brandt was a respected member of the farming community who was happy to offer advice
Relatives said Brandt enjoyed the meme, which showed him standing in a field in overalls, although he didn’t know what a meme was
Brandt grew up on a farm, but when his father died in a tractor accident, the farm had to be sold to pay inheritance taxes
The picture shows the Brandt family farm in Illinois
He eventually became a notable proponent of the no-till technique, which involves growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage, greatly reducing soil erosion and bringing many environmental and climate benefits.
Brandt has received several awards for his conservation practices, including Ohio Agriculture’s Man of the Year award and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
Brandt grew corn, soybeans, and wheat, and also raised pigs and cows.
He promoted cover crops and other sustainable farming practices and ran a cover crop seed company and seed cleaning business on his 736-acre farm in Carroll, Ohio.
The Brandt meme seems to have a lot of appeal
