My brother, Byron Bartz, passed away Sept. 1.

He was a farmer, a mentor and a friend.

Although he was technically our half brother, there were no halves about our relationship. He mentored, guided, teased, cajoled, irritated and protected us, his three sisters, with all the fervor of a full blooded brother.

It was through him that I grew in my knowledge and love of all things agricultural.

Byron was an innovative farmer. As a member of the Sustainable Farming Association and the Land Stewardship Project, he talked to others like him. He learned about other farming techniques that were not only cost effective, but also saved the soil.

He raised hogs and sold Registered Duroc boars and guilts throughout the area.

In his innovative nature, he would put his hogs “on test” where the backfat and body composition scores were noted. He used the information as he looked for breeding stock to improve his hog bloodlines. The pigs were lean yet had sound body structure.

Byron had a heart condition that was detected early in his life. By the time I started college, it was becoming apparent that something needed to be done. He was in his 30s, but he had a hard time maintaining the pace he once had when doing any kind of framework. I noticed him walking slower and slower from one barn to the next. Doctors confirmed he needed to have a heart valve replaced.

My sister and I took over the majority of the work. I went to a nearby college so I could be home to do chores. She came home on weekends from her job that was, at that time, in southwestern Minnesota. Once he had the valve replacement, he was able to resume the work. His new lease on life was due to the very species he raised! Through medical research on the heart valves of pigs, doctors were able to construct a heart valve. Byron’s valve was made of metal, but it’s design helped him live a full life.

It was during the farm economic crisis that he really implemented the sustainable techniques. I went with him to one Land Stewardship meeting in western Minnesota where Joel Salatin spoke. His methods and methods of marketing his farm products intrigued Byron.

Byron built chicken tractors and raised broilers. He also raised laying hens and sold eggs. He started a couple of farmers markets and attended a third on a regular basis. Our sister, Karen, was by his side all the way helping with the garden and chickens.

He began having health issues a few years ago that limited his mobility. Gout riddled many of his joints. He had a knee replaced, but he had issues with the other and became more dependent on a wheelchair to get around. Due to the severe gout in his hand, he had to use special eating utensils.

But he remained steadfast in his love of the land and for the growing of things.

This spring, my sister was planning a much smaller garden, but she had questions on how to start the tomatoes. Tomatoes! It was one of the many vegetables Byron had a knack for raising.

When Byron was placed on hospice and returned home for care, my sister picked some tomatoes from her patch.

“Look at these!” she said to Byron. “No end rot!”

He looked at the produce and said, “Wow!”

It was a conversation she’s mentioned often. Even though he was feeling pretty tough, Byron still noted God’s creation and the good produce!

Of the many things Byron raised, it was his gladiolas that took great pride in growing. And it was one of the flowers my sister mentioned upon his death and in conversations with the funeral home.

We certainly didn’t expect any to be the arrangements due to the late season for such a flower, but the florist, a high school classmate of my sister, got some white ones.

At the visitation and funeral this week, I can’t tell you the number of people who commented on his farming! He was called innovative and one person, who works in ag research, said many of Byron’s practices are now being used at experiment stations.

Whenever I see a farmers market or good produce, whenever I prepare pork or cook my eggs, I think of him and the care he gave to the land and to livestock. And he gave us, his sisters, a love for the land and a passion for agriculture.

It led me to my career in ag journalism.

Yes, I am blessed to have him for a brother.

I am blessed.