Posted on 02/10/2011 6:13:09 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
"'Back to the soil' was never a more attractive proposition and never so worthy of being heeded as during these opening years of the 20th century. It is true that social economists have often uttered this cry because they believed, and rightly, that the overcrowded condition of cities could be relieved, to the immense advantage of everybody concerned, if the congested population found in sections of these human hives could be induced to leave their crowded quarters and become tillers of the soil.
The advocates of the doctrine have had in mind a more decent and desirable condition for the objects of their solitude- a place where they could develop a physical, social and moral life superior to that which is possible to them in their present places places of abode.
The cry with which this chapter opens, however, is not uttered especially to a crowded urban population. It is uttered to all men-to the inhabitants of every city, of whatever magnitude; to the dwellers in villages and hamlets, and to those who are already on the land, that they may be contented to remain there. It is uttered to the dissatisfied of every condition of life, or to those who ought to be dissatisfied.
It is the cry, not of social economist only, not only of preachers, teachers, and statesmen, as distinguished from politicians, but of seers, of men who look into the future and see the good things that are there and the better things that are coming."
- The New Agriculture 1906
It's hard to believe this was written over one hundred years ago! 'Back to the soil' is the call of 2011.
You truly can develop a physical, social, and superior way of life in the country and on a farm. For the last few decades people have been trying to escape the countryside and head for the concrete.
But a new trend is beginning to surface. A group of society that longs to feel the soil in their hands, watch the animals graze, watch their children grow up with an appreciation for the things of the country.
The older I get the more I realize how much living in the country all my childhood effected me positively.
So I cordially invite you, come out to the countryside and grow something.
•Grow your children •Grow your marriage •Grow a garden •Grow a flower •Grow a pig •Grow a cow
It does something for your soul to be connected with land, the community, the farm. Even if you can only come to visit, leave the city for a day and come see us farmers....you'll be glad you did!
Garden-Ping Worthy?
Hey, Diana!
Long time, no freep.
Thanks for the post. Hope you and your family are happy and warm.
I learned everything I needed to know about the city in about 2 weeks. I needed my whole life to know everything I needed to know about the farm.
I learned everything I needed to know about the city in about 2 weeks. I needed my whole life to know everything I needed to know about the farm.
During my lifetime food in the U.S. has been pretty cheap. Self-sufficient farming has not been a winner, because of the economies of larger farms.
With the passage of HR2748/S.510/HR2751 FDA Food Take-over bill in the Lame Duck Session of the 110th Congress and signed into law by Obozo, that might change. It is at least a time to perpare for a big uptick in food prices. My feeling is it could be a 50% jump in produce due to that bill. And an uptick due to the high price of feed grain for products like: chicken, beef, pork.
Note- small scale production is excluded from much of the fees of the bill. Local production may again make sense.
We shall soon see.
Green acres baby!!!
but of course, pass the real food please..
“It does something to the soul...”
I don’t live on a farm but in the suburbs. My hybrid tea roses certainly lift my soul. I get a true enjoyment growing a flower that is beautiful and perfumes the air. One of these days though, I am definitely going to show up at Diana’s. I have the feeling her garden and the farms near her are wonderful. Mom
I read a book in High School called “5 acres and Independence”, written in the 40’s or early 50’s IIRC. We had rented a farm house when I was in about 6th grade, and had lived in CA and was a Boy Scout and got to hike and camp in the Sierras, Yosemite, Big Sur, etc.
I was convinced I had to live in the country. Took me until I was 30 to pull it off.
Had a big calf (80-90lbs) born yesterday while I was at work; it was licked off and dry so I left it outside with mama, even though it was still and clear and supposed to get to 0*. (Got 5 others so far doing fine)
It was dead this am. Should have brought it in. One year I had calves everywhere in the house, didn’t want to repeat that.
If you have livestock, you’re gonna have some deadstock. This one could have been saved, though.
I'll pass, thanks. More power to you if you enjoy farming, but I'll happily pay someone else to grow my food. With modern farming techniques it only takes 2% or so of the population to provide us with more food than we can eat.
That having been said, I have no desire to live in a large city or even a suburb. I live in the Rocky Mountains and I like it!
Don’t live on a farm, but in very rural ranching country. With our mountains, we get a lot of tourists here for fishing, camping, etc. I feel sorry for most of them as they all seem to long to live here, but because of a lack of jobs here are forced to stay in the big city.
My sympathy about the calf. I lost a heifer calf the same way last December. Thought she would be fine. Waddaya gonna do?
Too late for me.
I love the city.
I used to turn the bull in around Memorial Day, to be safe, but the markets have been highest here in Sept-Oct. I don’t creep-feed (I’m a low-cost operator- not quite Kit Pharoh, but along those lines),so I’m trying to get a few more lbs.
Most years you’re fine calving now. The last two years we’ve had heavy snow.
Ping for later. Looks like a good read!
Here’s my life & my garden in photos. It took me 20 years to buy my farm, and another 15 to make it what it is today. It’s been worth EVERY minute. :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1705&id=100000167687175&l=4e9dc84d8f
:)
Whoops! The deer out here on our place may be slated for the table; and they’ve lived out here for almost 25 years free as birds. - We’re thinking about getting some chickens for eggs. I don’t think I can manage goats at this stage in my life. So, it’s Provident Pantry storage milk I guess.
That’s a shame about the calf.
But, don’t beat yourself up too much over this. ‘Tis Nature’s Way, my FRiend.
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