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| I have enjoyed the conversation.
In 1970 I took over the farm when my dad died. So at 19 I considered myself a farmer. We cropped about 200 acres milked cows, raised steers, had chickens and a few pigs.
As we continued on we added acres and cows, got rid of the chickens and pigs and eventually the steers and became big farmers for the time with 1400 acres and 100 cows.
Then things changed as we got rid of the cows and cut back on acres and tried to survive. We started a strawberry farm and raised some sweet corn. We made more money and paid off all debt with 500 acres of corn and beans and12 acres of strawberries. I still considered myself a farmer even though some questioned it as I didn’t have any cattle.
Now my son has 5 acres of grapes and turns that into wine. He is raising a crop and supporting his family with it. Is he a farmer? Granted he buys more grapes then he raises but he spends a lot of time taking care of those grapes.
Now I raise sweet corn and sell it, only 5 acres, am I still a farmer or just a retired farmer that can’t quit.
Chuck | |
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Patio Pondering thoughts on "real farmers"
