 |
| Top left: My great grandpa planting with his new fordson and homemade planter in the late 30's, early 40's. Top right: My great grandpa harvesting oats in the 80's Bottom left: My grandpa Richard harvesting corn in the early 80's Bottom right: My dad on his first tractor he bought brand new in 1979. |
"I think farmers should farm the same way they did back in the fifties."
This is what I've heard over and over again, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. As a farmer in 2012, I'd like people to stop and think about what they're asking for. Farmers, technologists and researchers have made huge strides and advances in our everyday practices. Some of these advances you can recall off the top of your head. Other advances, that we all take for granted, you really have to stop and think...would I want to give up that luxury?
Have you ever considered giving up your vehicle to go back to a 1950s car? No air conditioning...no GPS to navigate you through the country side...no DVD systems to entertain the kids...and no seatbelts! Would you ever dream of putting your child in a car with no seat belts? What about starting one of those cars in the dead of winter? I've watched the movie A Christmas Story, and that scene wasn't very pleasant.
How about the modern electronics we use every day in our homes? The beautiful refrigerators that make their own ice, electric ovens, color televisions with more than 200 channels, garage door openers, coffee makers or microwaves. I realize most of these items were invented or in making their debuts in some homes during the 1950s, but they definitely were not the norm. Forget computers, internet, iPods or cell phones -- that was space-age.
Medical advances. Think of the research and diagnosing tools we use today. Think of what doctors didn't have or could not diagnose. The medicine we have available today versus 1950. Wow. Do you want to go back to a life in 1950? What about giving up everything today and taking your family back in time to live in 1930? Sure, times were much simpler, but think of all of the problems and issues families dealt with. Think about what they "wished" for themselves, their children and future generations.
As a farmer's wife and mother to four young children, I know I take things for granted. I'm sure there are many Americans and people world-wide taking their everyday routines and belongings for granted. We are human. We have evolved through the decades and centuries to make our lives easier and better.
Why should farmers be told, or directed, that today's practices are wrong and we should "Go back to the way things use to be?"
Today, a farmer feeds 155 people. In 1960, one farmer fed only 26. Today, our tractors and combines are mostly run off of computers...dropping one seed every six inches for proper placing of a corn plant. Our sprayers and manure spreaders are also monitored by computers to spread correct amounts of nutrients over our precious soils. The cross breeding of plants to produce a seed appropriate for my farm in Iowa is completely different than a farmer would plant in Kansas. Animals are cared for in temperature-controlled buildings year round, instead of outside in negative temperatures with cold wind chills. We are professionals. We take pride in doing our job for the environment and food supply. Technology is playing a special role in everyone's lives, especially on our family farm.
 |
| Nathan (my husband), current time, checking seed planting length in ground with his modern equipment. |
Advances in research, genetics and equipment that farmers use today should be no different than advances in medicine or electronics...or everyday items we all use. We have evolved and keep evolving with knowledge, facts and thorough testing. It's amazing the advances we all have sitting in our homes, offices, shops and machine sheds. I would love to give my great-grandpa a ride in the tractor I get the honor of driving today as the seventh generation on my family farm. I don't know where I'd begin just trying to explain everything it can do!
And why? Love.
Love for our land, our family, our heritage and our future. Not only providing a safe food supply to our neighbors, but our world.
About Rachel
Rachel Fishback, of Washington, Iowa, farms with her husband, Nathan, in Southeast Iowa. They raise corn, soybeans and four children on their farm. Rachel enjoys blogging about family life and showcasing farming and her modern day agriculture practices at http://www.fishbackfamilyfarms.com/
8 comments:
A year ago I suffered a heart attack and was saved due to the technology of today. I do know back in the 50's or 40's I wouldn't been as lucky as I am today.
I have been working on same farm since I was 5 years old. We milked 55 head of dairy cattle. Now we raise corn and soybean and beef cattle here in Wisconsin.
I often do wonder what it would be like to step back in time. Farming with just horses and hoping one day be able to afford a used tractor Back then the advancement in machinery were far and in between, and a hard days work what it mint a hard long day. Where plant an acre of corn took three days not a few hours like it does now.
In my oppion I believe it had been allot easier then not having worried as much as you do know. Technology great when its working but an become a headack when you learn that going take a couple thousand to fix your tractor. I am not sure if I came close to answering the question proposed, but like the author I often do wonder what it is like step back in time and farm like they did back then.
This is an awesome piece. I will definitely be sharing. Technology certainly aids. And it is up to farmers to talk about how we are using and it why. The consumers have a lot of questions, and farmers need to be available to answer.
www.crystalcattle.com
You are so right, Rachel. If people would actually think thru these ridiculous statements, it would save so much time and we could get to dealing with important matters.
Hi~this is my first time visiting here. I enjoyed my visit. I am a daughter, grand daughter (on both sides) of farmers and also a farmer's wife....I love agriculture. Hope you can stop by and say hi.
Maybe people wish that because they've heard a lot about GMOs being dangerous. I have a question... Would farmers make more money if they sold organic products? (I just know that organics are MUCH more expensive than nonorganics.)
To Angie....The reason why organic farmers get paid so much more is due to the lack of yields they can produce. Unfortunatly, when you plant a bean field of organic beans, there's only so much that farmer can do before it is over run by weeds. And since there are so many weeds in a field, it is much harder on the equipment because the weeds can't be sprayed for. So, where the organic farmer is getting more per bushel dollar wise, its due to the fact an organic field can only produce 40%-70% of a crop verses what I can produce in my fields, and thats primarily due to managing the weed and pest issues. This subject alone is why I feel our modern, safe practices are great...could you imagine being forced to eat food that's double the cost? And producing HALF of what most farmers are producing today? And for the record to all of the readers out there, I am a farmer. I do know how to operate machinery on our farm. I was not paid by Monsanto, and my article was not altered by Monsanto, and I proudly stand behind what I say. Please feel free to post your comments over on my farm blog http://www.fishbackfamilyfarms.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-if.html as well. Hopefully I'll be able to blog here again!
I would love to be in the 1950's, because technology is so expensive today, but it helps a lot. I would love to have a 50's car or truck and a buy a brand new farmall if it was the 50's. A lot of people dont think it would be cool to be in the 50's, but I think it would. I would be in heaven if there was such thing as a time machine and I went back then. Everyone I know calls me old fashioned or an old man in an 18 yr old body in 2012. I think its funny.
Good for you, Rachel, for sharing openly what happens on your farm. Technology is welcomed when it helps saves lives, yet it seems to create turmoil when used in food production. It's unfortunate that some find it necessary to insult you for making those choices for your family.
Modern agriculture allows animals to be more comfortable, decreases the impact on the environment - and yes, makes it easier on farm families. Rather than condemn those practices, I would love more people to come to the farm and see firsthand how you work for the farm to be sustainable for your children. Not to mention the food and wonderful lifestyle you're providing for them at present day.
Keep up the good work - I hope all business owners can continue to make their own choices, just as you have!
Post a Comment