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Jeffersonville, OH | From my perspective, anyone is a "farmer" if they have chosen a lifestyle that connects them closer with closer with what I would consider a tradition lifestyle...if they have chickens or even a few head of livestock to raise for their consumption, or to sell, then why are they any less a "farmer" than the guy with 1000 acres, or 10000 acres? Sure, the margins and expectations are different, but the knowledge they may have, or learn about the facets of a rural life that they chose still provide a great VALUE to their life, and likely those around them...
This is something we should celebrate and try to expand the acceptance of, not kick back because they aren't a "real farmer." Doing traditional Cash crop farming, or even a large livestock operation doesn't make you special, it makes you specialized...and that's fine as well.
I have a customer who has 35000 or so sows spread across 5-6 counties locally, and they buy as much equipment from us, or more, than some "farmers" to manage their own manure, and hay ground to have a place to put manure all year...are they farming? They do more hay than some of the "farmers" I know, so I don't get the double standard?
I have customers that only buy compact tractors, but for their operation I would still consider them to absolutely be farmers engaged in the business of farming...maybe you consider it a hobby farm, but most of them spend much more time engaged in their business than some more traditional "farmers" I know. Why the distinction? It doesn't make any difference to me, the tax man, or in most cases, the neighborhood..."city" neighbors would likely consider both beneath them and want to force them out of the area, so I don't know why anyone that loves our lifestyle would want to perpetuate any differences to add fuel to that particular fire.
I'm generalizing, sure, but I think the point is valid...if we all liked our neighbors as much as we used to, we'd all be better off.
Chris | |
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Patio Pondering thoughts on "real farmers"
