Exactly right. Growing up on a dairy farm taught me how to work. Hard.
So many tough but good memories. I can still smell freshly cut hay whenever I think of it. 110* in the hayloft in July. No other smell on earth like it! So sad to see it ALL disappear……
Even in in the 1960's, much of central New Jersey (yes, New Jersey!) was still farms, now lost. You'd recognize the old farm families by their Dutch surnames, as that part of the state was settled by Dutch Reformed. Nowadays the state is one big strip mall.
Thanks for this post John, it is so very true...but there are some of us who have recovered from our over-education and are looking to farm in Vermont! There are a small number of us who want to learn as much as possible before it is all lost. As a former garden educator in suburbia it is astounding how many kids don't even know how to step on the back of a shovel. But I would say that suburbia, just like rural and urban communities, is struggling to get young people off their slave devices and into the real world! Most of them actually hate their phones yet know they are bound to them because of how society operates currently. Let us keep giving the young people opportunities to be outside, work outside and feel great doing it and maybe we have a chance!
So much GOOD comes out of the culture of farming, and it isn't just the products sold. Diligence, persistence, cooperation, responsibility, an abiding connection to the ground, the seasons, weather, domestic and wild animals, and FAITH.
The mad rush to consumerism has led to many sad relics.
As usual - a wonderful insightful commentary on what has happened to farming in New England. Maine is a lot like Vermont but a little further away from the population areas
so we are hanging on to our rural roots a little longer, maybe. I grew up on a farm in northern Maine - Aroostook County - that produced hard working honest kids that all worked in the fields to help bring in the harvest and contributed to character development of satisfaction in a job well done. I have hope that this current trend of development and technology dependence is slowly changing. I have had a young couple stay with me for the last three months who quit their jobs in Conn. and are looking to buy farmland for regenerative farming. They have jobs to sustain themselves while looking and until they can support themselves through farming. They will be successful based on their optimism and work ethic. They provide hope for our future.
At 65 years old, it's true that I came to Vermont partially for the scenery, the art galleries, and the cannabis shops, but what I value the most is exactly what you are describing here—the contributions of my neighbors who have lived off the land for generations. I pray some are still around in the years ahead to teach my grandkids the things in life that are truly important.
Nicely done John. My family on my grandfather's and grandmother's side both go back to 1790, north up the Connecticut River into Southern Vermont (primarily around Springfield) all farmers, small shop keepers, inventors, a few doctors and lawyers... But all farmers, as you mentioned, initially sheep and small crops, and many still, small farms which a few remain across the generations. Vermont is rugged, stony, beautiful and long resourceful, Campbells, Hubbards, Goodells, and more...
Thank you for this post! I too am a Vermont farm girl that grew up here and have witnessed and experienced the "change" in our little state and ways of life. Now, what to do about it...any ideas? Is this a loosing battle?
Very sad at what was lost in Vermont and elsewhere. Here in central Texas, there used to be many farms growing food crops which I find surprising given the inconsistent rain--although as I write this, it is pouring down rain. We didn't lose the farms to development but most of the farmland was converted to pasture for beef cattle. Can't say as I blame the landowners since grazing cattle demands less time and risk than planting and harvesting. There were other contributing factors as well--estate taxes, profitable hunting leases, flight to the big urban centers, etc. Also, when Walmart came to town then local food production became less necessary. God help us should the day come when the grocery store shelves are empty..
This is a wonderful article and reading the comments below, it may not be lost. Regenerative farming is getting more and more attention and hopefully will really grab on to the youth who seek reality away from the crazy cyber world. That would be a true blessing.
Thanks for allowing us readers to reminisce about the good old farm days. It is sad to think of them fading away, but there is always hope for new life!
Exactly right. Growing up on a dairy farm taught me how to work. Hard.
So many tough but good memories. I can still smell freshly cut hay whenever I think of it. 110* in the hayloft in July. No other smell on earth like it! So sad to see it ALL disappear……
Even in in the 1960's, much of central New Jersey (yes, New Jersey!) was still farms, now lost. You'd recognize the old farm families by their Dutch surnames, as that part of the state was settled by Dutch Reformed. Nowadays the state is one big strip mall.
Thanks for this post John, it is so very true...but there are some of us who have recovered from our over-education and are looking to farm in Vermont! There are a small number of us who want to learn as much as possible before it is all lost. As a former garden educator in suburbia it is astounding how many kids don't even know how to step on the back of a shovel. But I would say that suburbia, just like rural and urban communities, is struggling to get young people off their slave devices and into the real world! Most of them actually hate their phones yet know they are bound to them because of how society operates currently. Let us keep giving the young people opportunities to be outside, work outside and feel great doing it and maybe we have a chance!
So much GOOD comes out of the culture of farming, and it isn't just the products sold. Diligence, persistence, cooperation, responsibility, an abiding connection to the ground, the seasons, weather, domestic and wild animals, and FAITH.
The mad rush to consumerism has led to many sad relics.
As usual - a wonderful insightful commentary on what has happened to farming in New England. Maine is a lot like Vermont but a little further away from the population areas
so we are hanging on to our rural roots a little longer, maybe. I grew up on a farm in northern Maine - Aroostook County - that produced hard working honest kids that all worked in the fields to help bring in the harvest and contributed to character development of satisfaction in a job well done. I have hope that this current trend of development and technology dependence is slowly changing. I have had a young couple stay with me for the last three months who quit their jobs in Conn. and are looking to buy farmland for regenerative farming. They have jobs to sustain themselves while looking and until they can support themselves through farming. They will be successful based on their optimism and work ethic. They provide hope for our future.
At 65 years old, it's true that I came to Vermont partially for the scenery, the art galleries, and the cannabis shops, but what I value the most is exactly what you are describing here—the contributions of my neighbors who have lived off the land for generations. I pray some are still around in the years ahead to teach my grandkids the things in life that are truly important.
Nicely done John. My family on my grandfather's and grandmother's side both go back to 1790, north up the Connecticut River into Southern Vermont (primarily around Springfield) all farmers, small shop keepers, inventors, a few doctors and lawyers... But all farmers, as you mentioned, initially sheep and small crops, and many still, small farms which a few remain across the generations. Vermont is rugged, stony, beautiful and long resourceful, Campbells, Hubbards, Goodells, and more...
Thank you for this post! I too am a Vermont farm girl that grew up here and have witnessed and experienced the "change" in our little state and ways of life. Now, what to do about it...any ideas? Is this a loosing battle?
Very sad at what was lost in Vermont and elsewhere. Here in central Texas, there used to be many farms growing food crops which I find surprising given the inconsistent rain--although as I write this, it is pouring down rain. We didn't lose the farms to development but most of the farmland was converted to pasture for beef cattle. Can't say as I blame the landowners since grazing cattle demands less time and risk than planting and harvesting. There were other contributing factors as well--estate taxes, profitable hunting leases, flight to the big urban centers, etc. Also, when Walmart came to town then local food production became less necessary. God help us should the day come when the grocery store shelves are empty..
This is a wonderful article and reading the comments below, it may not be lost. Regenerative farming is getting more and more attention and hopefully will really grab on to the youth who seek reality away from the crazy cyber world. That would be a true blessing.
Thanks for allowing us readers to reminisce about the good old farm days. It is sad to think of them fading away, but there is always hope for new life!
Your soul needs the connection with the land