Farm country

 I was reading the paper this morning, when I noticed an interesting comment made by a lady, concerning turkey barns. She commented that the turkey barns were contaminating ground water in the area they were in and that they were polluting the air supply, causing it to become to toxic to breathe. Pardon my language, but where in the HELL did she get that from? She is claiming that the smell of the barns is toxic. Just because something smells bad, doesn’t mean it’s toxic. If that were the case, New Jersey would be off limits. The country is full of different smells, and depending on the person, the smells might be revolting, or make you feel right at home(for those of us raised up on a farm). To claim that the smell is toxic is just plain assanine. It’s no wonder when these people show up to zoning meetings to protest the building of livestock operations, they are laughed at behind their backs. If thats the best argument they can come up with, they should just stay home.

 As for the water supply, I haved been on our farm for 6 years now, and have our water tested yearly. It is just as clean, if not cleaner than some town water, and our well is located right next to the livestock barns. Grass and soil are a great filter. They filter out what doesn’t belong in the water and the grass uses it as food to grow, while the water is kept fresh. I would rather drink our well water than town water anyday.

 I wish these country-fide city people would either learn to enjoy the beauty of the area they chose to move to, or move back where they came from. There is always someone who is willing to move out here and actually enjoy it, without  the griping and whining. 

Ever have one of those days? Mine just ended…hopefully! Went to the store to get my daughter a gift for her sweet 16th birthday…store declined my credit card, had to settle for a singing card, all the cash I had. Made enough food to feed a small army…8 people show up. Get home and try to mow lawn…mower does not start…broken cam shaft. It is now going on 7:00pm. Hopefully this will put an end to this day’s unrullyness and bring better luck tomorrow. I would not bet on it though. Last week, the front frame on our van broke, making it undrivable of course. So, we license our old ’79 dodge van. Fuel pump shot, replace. Front tires shot, replace. Drivers side brake caliper shot, replace. 2 days later, transmission goes out…van parked next to other one. We had to take out a loan to buy a differant car. So far, it seems to be working…knock on wood. I have had it with August. I can’t wait for this month to end!!!

 Thanks for reading my rantings. I just had to get it off of my chest. Next time I write, I will have something important to say.

                                                      Take it easy ya’ll 

 Lately, in the news, I have read alot about turkey barns, feed lots and aweful smells in the country. I read one statement by a lady that actually said that rural residents need protection by the counties against farms. What kind of protection? Against the smell of the animals and the "tainting of ground water". Now call me ignorant, but I thought farmers were rural residents. In my opinion, it’s the farmers that need protection from all of the city people who are sick of the crime in their cities so they are invading the country. I have no problem with people wanting to get out of a city. I completely understand. There is no way I would be able to live in a city. But when you move to the country, you have to understand that with the country, comes country smells. If you don’t like the smell, you can always move back to the crime infested city.

  Another gripe I have heard is that the rural little person’s voice is not heard over the voice of the big and powerful farmers. What a misconception. Whenever someone doesn’t get their way, they always look for someone else to blame. Well, no one told you to move there. No one is keeping you from moving away. Also, let me inform those "little people" about their voice.

 Years ago cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and even turkeys and chickens were raised free range. Thousands of animals on many acres of land. That was the country. Soon, city people started moving in to the country, buying land as farmers grew to old to work their farms anymore, and selling it off in small lots. Soon, the country was full of people that wanted to live in the country for the peace and quiet. No problem. But, it wasn’t long before complaints were being made. "Too much smell." "Animals getting out." "What about desease?" Soon farmers were forced by state and county government to reduce the sizes of their herds, and much of the pristine grazing acreage was tilled up for crops instead, which people immidiatly started to complain about also, but thats another story for another time. Now animals were forced to live in pastures a fraction of the size that they were used to. Conditions became terrible as feces built up do to the small area. Enter…P.E.T.A. Farmers NOW were being investigated by PETA and others like them, and being exposed to the world as animal abusers. So, once again the farmer was forced to reduce herd size.

  Today, most working production farms are owned by corporations such as Farmland and Hormel. The family farm is almost a thing of the past. The herd are now 20-30 head, compared to 3000-4000 head. Acreage is 500-600 acres, compared to 5000-10000acres of range. Animals that used to have all the room in the world to roam and enjoy, are now cooped up in small backyard pastures, and still the "little people" complain.

   Living in the country is a wonderful experiance if you let it be. If you plan to move to the country and do nothing but complain, your only going to deprive yourself of a good time in a beautiful area.