Loved the story. Growing up on Iowa farms, in a farming family, your insights were 100% accurate. Living on the East Coast for the past 40 years, I have been astounded at how ignorant the greater majority of people are regarding the challenges of farming, the stereotypes of farming and people who live in the Midwest. It’s very tribal. And tiring. There is an assumption, that if you come from a rural area, you can’t possibly be smart, worldly or wise, and the condescending air maddening.
I'm glad I found your substack. Your story is much like mine...moved from Vegas to SW Missouri to a little farm. I've learned a lot, look forward to learning more, and never want to leave.
Many thanks for your honesty and your transformation. At age 7, I was very happy to begin country life in NE PA just before WW2 started, then raised on that and another farm until college. It's often occurred to me that everyone should have something like that experience however short. You can't duplicate it and you certainly can't judge it by bopping in and out and just asking questions. I have known several farmers in various places I've lived who tried to and did reach out into towns and cities in various ways. One bought a large van and created stalls for chickens goats and perhaps sheep that city kids could then visit and feed them in. At least an antidote to the thought that milk comes from cartons etc. What I think we could call the farm attitude needs to be more present in our lawmaking, economics, education, etc. Urban intellectuals in Mao Zedong's time were forcefully sent to the rural areas because the division between farmers and intellectuals was so large; we Americans can find better ways of dealing with ignorance such as you have done. Your kids are lucky!
Good story. A lot of truth in this piece - thank you. Keep writing - it goes right to the heart.
Loved the story. Growing up on Iowa farms, in a farming family, your insights were 100% accurate. Living on the East Coast for the past 40 years, I have been astounded at how ignorant the greater majority of people are regarding the challenges of farming, the stereotypes of farming and people who live in the Midwest. It’s very tribal. And tiring. There is an assumption, that if you come from a rural area, you can’t possibly be smart, worldly or wise, and the condescending air maddening.
I'm glad I found your substack. Your story is much like mine...moved from Vegas to SW Missouri to a little farm. I've learned a lot, look forward to learning more, and never want to leave.
🔥🔥🔥
Many thanks for your honesty and your transformation. At age 7, I was very happy to begin country life in NE PA just before WW2 started, then raised on that and another farm until college. It's often occurred to me that everyone should have something like that experience however short. You can't duplicate it and you certainly can't judge it by bopping in and out and just asking questions. I have known several farmers in various places I've lived who tried to and did reach out into towns and cities in various ways. One bought a large van and created stalls for chickens goats and perhaps sheep that city kids could then visit and feed them in. At least an antidote to the thought that milk comes from cartons etc. What I think we could call the farm attitude needs to be more present in our lawmaking, economics, education, etc. Urban intellectuals in Mao Zedong's time were forcefully sent to the rural areas because the division between farmers and intellectuals was so large; we Americans can find better ways of dealing with ignorance such as you have done. Your kids are lucky!
Food. I want to hear about food.
👍 thanks Derek, will do!