Ohio farmer, 76, who rose to fame as ‘It’s Not Much But It’s Honest Work’ star, is killed in Illinois car crash
- David Brandt, 76, a respected Ohio farmer who was part of a popular meme died following an accident in Illinois on Thursday
- Brandt gained wide recognition after his “It’s not much but it’s honest work” remark, which was turned into a meme in 2012.
- Initially unaware of the concept of memes, he was renowned for his advocacy of no-till agriculture and sustainable farming practices, with a focus on soil health.
A prominent 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 car crash in Illinois.
David Brandt, 76, was a nationally known no-till farming proponent who traveled across the country to speak about sustainable farming techniques and soil health, but became famous for the comments that he made this in 2012 at a Natural Resources Conservation Service event held on his cultivate.
Brandt was injured last Thursday in an accident in Urbana, Ill., and died of his injuries on Sunday.
While discussing his craft, Brandt said, “It’s not much, but it’s honest work,” a statement that has become 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 was part of a popular meme died following an accident in Illinois on Thursday
Brandt gained wide recognition after his “It’s not much but it’s honest work” remark, which was turned into a meme in 2012.
Initially unaware of the concept of memes, he was renowned for his advocacy of no-till agriculture and sustainable farming practices, with a focus on soil health.
Relatives said Brandt enjoyed the meme, which showed him wearing overalls and standing in a field, even though he didn’t know what a meme was until he learned it was. was one from a bank teller who showed him the picture on his phone. .
‘(Brandt) had a lot of joy after seeing (the meme) and seeing how it exploded all over the place! He didn’t object to it at all,” Randall Reeder told the Dispatch Columbus.
“He was committed to educating 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 was killed in a tractor accident, the farm had to be sold to pay inheritance tax.
A Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, Brandt and his wife, Kendra, started no-till farming in 1971 to cut costs.
Relatives said Brandt enjoyed the meme, which showed him wearing overalls and standing in a field, even though he didn’t know what a meme was.
Brandt grew up on a farm, but when his father was killed in a tractor accident, the farm had to be sold to pay inheritance tax.
Pictured is the Brandt family farm in Illinois
He eventually became a notable proponent of no-till techniques, where crops are grown without disturbing the soil through tillage, which greatly reduces soil erosion and creates many environmental and climatic benefits.
Brandt has received several awards for his conservation practices, including Ohio Agriculture’s Man of the Year and the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Brandt grew corn, soybeans, and wheat while raising pigs and cows.
He touted cover crops and other sustainable farming practices, and ran a cover crop seed business and a seed cleaning business on his 736-acre farm in Carroll, Ohio.
The meme featuring Brandt appears to have wide appeal
