The Popcorn Farmer is the second family history paper children’s storybook I created. It is in honor of my maternal grandparents, Vern and Sybil Bryson. I grew up on their farm and loved it. Well, loved most of it. 😉 I knew the next generation really wouldn’t remember “Great Nana/Grand Nan” and Grandpa died before any of them were born. I really wanted them to be able to know a little about these wonderful and generous people.
The title comes from a beautiful tribute to Grandpa written by a family friend. Grandpa was an actual genius and did a lot of amazing things in his life, yet he found meaning and fulfillment being a farmer/rancher and growing produce, especially corn (soooo much corn!), that he and Nana shared with the community. Hence, he became “The Popcorn Farmer.”
The Story
Cover of The Popcorn Farmer, featuring large popped popcorn.
The Popcorn Farmer by Megan McGrath
Once a long time ago, a boy named Vern Bryson was born on a farm in Utah.
As Vern grew up he dreamed of being a farmer. He loved farming and farm animals. But Vern was also very, very smart. So he went to college at BYU and studied engineering.
While Vern was in college, World War II started. Vern was very brave and signed up to be a pilot in the Air Force.
Even though it was scary, Vern worked very hard and became a very good pilot and flew huge bomber planes all over Europe.
Vern was such a good pilot he tought other people how to be pilots.
He even received a special award called the Distinguished Flying Cross for being such a good pilot.
Vern met a beautiful, smart, and gifted musician named Sybil. They fell in love and soon married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple.
Vern and Sybil had five kids: Britt, Forest, Craig, Nadine, and Elaine.
When the war was over, Vern began working as an Aeronautical Engineer, helping to develop nuclear engines like those used in submarines.
Vern also worked to design better airplanes.
When Vern retired, the family moved to a farm in California. It was beautiful there. They had lots of horses, cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs.
But some of the best spots on the farm were the giant gardens and orchards.
There were all sorts of goodies growing in the gardens. Everything from beets and blackberries, to carrots, grapes, green beans, onnions, raspberries, strawberries, peaches and pumpkins, plums, peppers, and even zucchini.
There were so many kinds of fruits and vegetables!
But the best was the corn. There were rows and rows and rows of corn! Vern and Sybil’s grandkids loved to run and play hide and seek among all the rows of corn. The corn was so delicious! Sweet, delicious, golden corn on the cob.
Each year, Sybil would set aside special ears of corn to dry. When the corn kernels were all dry, they were ready to be cooked into popcorn!
Vern and Sybil always grew more fruits and vegetables than the family needed. They loved to load up the convertible with all the fresh produce and take it to church to give it away to everyone. But all the children’s favorite was the homegrown popcorn!
Vern and Sybil were kind and generous sharing their food, time, and energy helping all those they could.
So, whenever you eat popcorn, you can think of Grandpa Vern and Nana Sybil and their great example. The End.
Some fun facts about this book
The plane featured on Page 3-4 (with Europe) is actually one of the planes he flew. I used the trace feature in the Silhouette Design Studio program to create the cut file.
A photo of the actual medal that Vern received is shown on his uniform on page 6. I used the Print and Cut feature of the Silhouette Design Studio to cut this out. I also recreated his uniform insignias on his cap and uniform. Did you notice his little wings? So cute. 🙂
The diagram on Page 9 is actually a simplified diagram of a nuclear engine. The one Vern helped design! I used the pen adapter to have my Silhouette Cameo draw it. Such a fun detail to include.
The animals and fruits and vegetables depicted in the story were all actually grown and raised on the farm, but our barn was not red–it was boring metal gray ;).
Grandpa really did wear a straw cowboy hat and denim overalls almost every day of my childhood, usually with a white t-shirt.
The cover has several large popped popcorn kernels in the center photo spot.
My grandma, after seeing the book, heaved a sigh of relief and said, “I’m so glad that part of my life is over and I don’t have to can anymore.” Hahaha. Thanks, Nana? 😂😂
I had so so much fun making “The Popcorn Farmer.” It meant so much to tell this story and share it with my family, especially my sweet Nana. And I love to read it to my sweet nieces and nephews.
Do you have a favorite family story? How can you share it with your family in a meaningful way?
Megan is a chronic crafter, writer, and an advocate for those with invisible diseases, particularly Mast Cell Diseases. She has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, along with other conditions. Find her crafty projects (her form of therapy) and experiences with MCAS at www.luckystarsstudio.com.