Community, friends step up for the Cornman

Jim Cadnum, also known as “Bird” or “The Cornman,” 78, is one of those good people who’ve given much to this community we call home, both as a long-time forester and in retirement, working as a gentleman farmer known for growing the sweetest corn in North Idaho, as well as excellent pumpkins. His health took a turn this year.

He was loathe to listen to family and friends who told him he needed the slower pace and personal care afforded at the Community Restorium as he had a crop to bring in.

He tried mightily to stay home, but came to realize he was running himself down, and his health getting worse. He finally gave in, but spent his days fretting that he needed to be home, to some how summon the will and the stamina.

A cadre of his many friends insisted they would see to it, but it isn’t Jim’s way to pass off a responsibility.

And so he fretted. Then his friends coming in to visit began bringing news … the corn was in, just as sweet as ever and customers at the Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint Farmer’s Markets, somewhat taken aback not seeing the Cornman, were so glad to see his unsurpassed corn they made short work of buying it up and loading it onto their conveyances.

While still feeling his place was on his farm, it was obvious to all who saw him that he was benefitting. He was smiling again, eating well. The spring in his step that carried him through miles as a forester and even more miles running  marathons and countless fun runs was back. He was seen on Bonners Ferry northside streets, his trusty old walking stick in hand, striding along briskly at a pace most half his age couldn’t maintain.

Today his smile was bigger than it’s been since he’s been here, though it came pretty close a few days earlier after he donated a load of pumpkins to decorate the Restorium and for the Restorium staff pumpkin carving contest coming up on Halloween.

Today he started getting messages fairly early. Pictures as well. A trailer filled with pumpkins he’d grown this season in a lot west of Dub’s in Sandpoint.

“The corn man is the greatest! This may sound corny, but he’s as sweet as his corn!” one admirer wrote.

Longtime friend Mark Sauter, who’s been helping since being among those who first recognized that the Cornman should no longer carry on alone, was taking time from a busy campaign to carry on a noble tradition as old as agriculture itself, bringing in the sheaves. Not only your own, but those of neighbors in need. Not that you might gain profit, but so your neighbor won’t lose toil. Not to gain or take advantage, but because it is as you would have your neighbor do for you.

Helping make it light work were Bob Blanford and Dave Anderson.

Civilization was born side by side with agriculture. It shines at its brightest on small family farms to this very day.