|
North Central Kansas | I have some strong feelings about this topic. First of all, bleedred, your top notch hired man needs a farm of his own. I am a small farmer that would like to expand to eliminate a side business. It's tough because if your not farming full time, some people put you in a catagory of non-farmers which makes it hard to be considered for renting land. I have spent my time working for big farmers to keep going and I will go on welfare before I do that again. Every time a farm hires full time help outside of the family, they just squeezed out one more farm family that could be filling our schools, churches and business and paying taxes. Big farmers are typically the first ones to buy inputs and haul grain away from our local markets, selling out our small communites. And why, why do they feel the need to take on so much? Greed? So they can say they have a 24 row planter, etc.
It almosts seems un-american to say all that because I understand we all have freedom to pursue success. On the other hand, America is the land of opportunity and that's all I am looking for is an opportunity. I see both small and large farmers that do a good job, as well as some that do a poor job. Some have inherited money that will never run out and don't have to perform. There are different circumstances with every family.
I see some land under utlized because the farmer has too much. It's a tradgedy that the land doesn't get put into the hands of a progressive minded person that will do something with it.
I will concentrate on doing the most I can with what I have, and try to prove myself to my neighbors/possible landlords. I am planning on setting up a rotational grazing system this summer. One neighbor strung off all he had to do in the summer and didn't have time for that. Well, I have an advantage, and I can be much more efficient that he can and I plan to use that advantage. Power to the small farmers, don't give up. You are the fuel that keeps rural America going. | |
|
article about shortage of farmers
