Running Head: FARMING
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Farming: A Dying Culture Meagan Wilson University of Kentucky
Abstract
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Farming permeates every culture worldwide. America has its own rich history of families growing crops in their backyards and raising livestock to put food on the table. This paper starts with a brief historical look at farming in Central Kentucky circa 1900’s, then explores cultural norms, lifestyle habits, and negative generalizations of farmers. The focus will specifically be the farming culture of tobacco and cattle. The goal is to inform the reader of the assiduous, laborious, and undervalued work of farmers so as to gain an appreciation of the services provided. Key words: History, Cultural Norms, Lifestyle, and Stereotypes
Farming: A Dying Culture
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Farming is an integral part of every culture. In the U. S. farming is defined as “any establishment which produced or sold $1,000 or more agricultural products during the year.” By this definition there are currently “2.2 million farms in the United States” (USEPA, 2014). Farming is responsible for the clothing we don and the foods we eat, and provides income for many families. Much of our consumerism would cease without farming. Unfortunately demand for products we farm such as bacon, steak, corn, and tobacco increases as the profession of farming is decreasing in the United States (USEPA, 2014). I wonder if the person smoking their cigarette thinks of the worker who spent 18 hours bent over in the sweltering August heat. Does the person eating milk soaked cereal think of the farmer who watched the cow as it entered the world? Do we stop to think as we grumble over the increase in bacon prices about the amount of energy and cost of raising hogs? Farming is a laborious, underpaid, and underappreciated vocation in America. To show this I will discuss the history of Central Kentucky farming, their cultural norms, lifestyle, and finally some stereotypes formed by society. My intention is to illumine the travails of certain types of farming, address some negative generalizations, and appreciate more fully the services they provide. To fully understand the impact of growing crops and raising animals, a brief history of Kentucky’s farming heritage is necessary. A Brief History Early Kentuckians learned many farming techniques from their European ancestors in the early 1800’s (Ferrell, 2013). These techniques were adapted and improved upon as each generation flourished and spread westward to claim land across the state. Farming was the means of survival in the early 19th century. Planting fields, watering crops, harvesting, and slaughtering were all done without the use of modern technology. By the end of that century agriculture shifted from a lifestyle to a lucrative occupation. Farmers who diversified by
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growing a wide selection of crops and maintaining animals were practically guaranteed a sizeable income (McCauley, personal communication, 2 October, 2014). Toward the second half of the 20th century a second shift occurred in farming as technological advances in farming became prevalent (Ferrell, 2013). Technology superseded manual labor, assuaged occupational hazards, and expanded the area a single farmer could manage. Rather than diversifying, farmers found it more profitable to specialize in a single aspect of farming (McCauley, personal communication, 2 October, 2014). This trend towards specialization shows why meat and crop production is currently handled by large corporations. Surprisingly though, large scale corporate farming only accounts for 8 percent of farms nationwide, while small farms account for 87 percent (USEPA, 2014). A local cattle farmer from Woodford County, Mac McCauley, shared a story that was passed down to him by his grandfather (1903) that gives a personal history of local Kentucky farming. Transporting livestock was done by trains then. His family utilized the largest local train station on Highway 33 to transport hogs to Lexington, which were then shipped to Cincinnati or Chicago. A truck would drive behind the animals and push the herd forward. According to Google maps a trip from 33 to downtown Lexington is roughly 36 miles. By car today this trip would only take 40 minutes. In 1903, the trip was long, tedious, and required an overnight stay at a feeding trough halfway to Lexington. Farmers found a clever use for the abundance of unwanted rocks in their fields [see Figure 1]. The beautiful stone fences we now see on the sides of many rural roads once served as a guide for the animals being driven to Lexington.
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Wealthier farmers built wood-planked fences. Mac adds that you knew a farmer had money if he could afford wood for a fence, but since most farmers were poor, these wooden fences were rare (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). The financial situation of farming has not changed much since the days of Mac’s grandfather. It is estimated that modern annual farming expenses average $103,359. Unfortunately, “1 of every 4 farms produces a gross revenue in excess of $50,000,” meaning most farms loose more money than they gain (USEPA, 2014). I believe this high cost and low return deter new farmers from entering the profession. The United States Department of Agriculture has attempted several government funded programs to help alleviate these problems. In 1992, loans were offered to beginning farmers through the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act. In 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Infrastructure Act earned money back for farmers that met conservation requirements. In 2006, new policies were introduced to supplement farmers with marketing resources and credit to encourage agricultural “competitiveness.” Lastly, in 2008, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act was implemented to encourage “socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers” to enter into the profession, which targeted females and minorities (Ahearn, M., Newton, D. 2009). Among these diverse farming situations there are consistent cultural norms. Cultural Norms Cultural norms among farmers vary according to the size of the operation and the availability of machinery. Despite the technological advances that ameliorate farming there is one certainty: long work days. Harvesting crops is only possible during daylight and the harvesting window has abrupt limits. According to Mac McCauley, “you sometimes worked
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until you couldn’t see what you were doing� (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). The harvest is also affected by weather. Scorching heat may require tobacco farmers to dry the product earlier than planned. A potentially destructive storm front could motivate a farmer to hire extra help and even work days without a break in order to harvest a crop before it could be destroyed (M. Weldi, personal communication, 24 September, 2014). This risk is why many in the profession have multiple incomes. As few as 45 percent of farmers claim their primary income source is from farming (USEPA, 2014). This was confirmed by several local farmers in Nonesuch, Kentucky. One of these farmers, Michael Weldi, runs a small farm that provides eggs, corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes for a local restaurant [see Figure 2]. Part of his post retirement income is supplemented by growing a diverse group of crops. In 1980, he drove a truck for Pepsi and raised 17 acres of tobacco as a secondary vocation. He also helped his wife run a small grocery store. Multiple jobs alleviated the financial strain on his family and made farming less of a gamble (M. McCauley, personal communication and Weldi, personal communication, 2014). Michael has been able to purchase acres of land that he has gifted to his sons. He has also generated enough extra income so he can now live comfortably in retirement. Michael is one of the assiduous ones who managed to live frugally through trepidation and prepare for his future while leaving an inheritance to his children, but not every farmer is this fortunate. Along with minimal financial success farmers face dangerous working conditions.
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Filthy and hazardous working conditions are standard in all areas of farming, but tobacco farming provides a good example. The barns used for drying tobacco require workers to be very cautious. Hanging the tobacco sticks was a two man system where the ground person handed the speared leaves to the receiver in the loft. Narrow planks lined the loft and allowed the men to walk from side to side and hang the leaves. Men have been known to pass out while walking the plank in the barn loft, necessitating that one person focus entirely on walking along the floor of the barn, ready to catch anybody who falls. In the days following a tobacco harvest workers often felt ill due to excessive nicotine in their systems (M. McCauley, personal communication, 2 October, 2014). Tobacco harvesting also entails dirt, wet clothing, and risk of spearing one’s hand or foot with a weapon-like harvesting tool (M. McCauley, personal communication and Weldi, personal communication, 2014). Dress attire for these working conditions is basic and functional. They do not need crisp, white shirts or shiny, dress shoes. Although this does not imply that farmers do not bathe or wear clean clothing, it has led to false stereotypes which I will address shortly. In spite of stereotypes, the dress code ultimately allows for a flexible workday. The concept of time among farmers is extremely punctual and seasonally based. The standards for punctuality vary from one farmer to the next, but they all live on a strict schedule. Their work day lasts from sun up to sun down. Cattle farmers, for example, not only tend to the cattle, but they also spend the summer growing and harvesting their own hay. All the while cattle are fed daily, milked, treated, and vaccinated, even during inclimate weather. Certain times of the year cattle are moved to different fields. Mac McCauley notes, “There was always something your parents could find you to do� (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). This example shows that there was little flexibility in tasks or time management. Weather is the only disruption for this rigid lifestyle, and even that was no guarantee of rest.
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Life Style Farming has provided Kentucky with a rich family heritage and a lifestyle that involved each family member. Children were an integral part of harvesting, planting, and maintaining daily chores (Ferrell, 2013). All three of Michael Weldi’s boys helped harvest tobacco (personal communication, 24 September, 2014). Six generations of the McCauley family worked a farm and helped with livestock (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). Some farmers nostalgically report an affinity for the smells of working on the farm as a child. They remember even the the abject parts of farming with nostalgia; scorching heat, lengthy work days, and grimy work conditions. These shared experiences fostered a sense of unity and comradery to such an extent that farmers have even reported a sense of “lament” for this loss of family time (Ferrell, 2013). Making farm a familial operation helped cultivate a wide range of skills needed to maintenance arising problems. Equipment requires maintenance, finances must be watched, and research for new and better ways is a constant. Their lifestyle requires they know a lot about everything. Often a farmer is required to be skilled in a variety of jobs including: “mechanic, welding, accounting, farm law, politician, wildlife officer, veterinarian, construction, finance, animal husbandry, corporate executive, marketing, entomologist, plant pathologist, plumber, electrician, research scientist, and eternal optimist” (Hill, P.). They need to have a general knowledge of every component used in their profession to be successful. Each farmer was asked about their personal definition of success and I was humbled by their responses. I believe Mac’s response to be a golden nugget of wisdom. Mac said, “I think the definition of success changes over time. Success is a matter of a combination of achieving
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essentially a level of happiness that typically is independent of financial concerns. [It is] being a positive contributor, appreciating your surroundings and the people around you, and doing something for others, and leaving the world a little better than you found it” (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). When I asked Michael Weldi this question his response bypassed financial gains. He talked about his service in the Army and about the different places he has lived with his family (personal communication, 24 September, 2014). I find this interesting that both men did not view success in terms of assets or financial gains. Both men found value in family and what they could do for others. These positive responses help refute negative stereotypes formed by society. Stereotypes Unfortunately, the work of a farmer does always not conjure up positive stereotypes. They are labeled as cruel, dirty, poor, stupid, and given marginal status (Hill, P. and M. McCauley, personal communication, 2 October, 2014). Recently, Americans have raised awareness about the treatment of animals used for food. Methods for slaughtering animals appear cruel and inhumane. Mac believes these tough decisions are weighted by the conscious and finances, as opposed to cruel motivations. A farmer would not think twice about shooting a sick or injured animal. However, killing the animal from the farmer’s perspective makes sense both financially and ethically (M. McCauley, personal communication, 2 October, 2014). These difficult ethical dilemmas often contribute negatively to a farmer’s image. An image associated with farmers is a potbellied man in bib overalls, chewing a piece of hay, and speaking unintelligible southern phrases (Hill, P.). Farmers are thought of as “backward” and lacking in formal education. While dirt and overalls may be consistent with
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agriculture, unintelligence is not. Mac McCauley helps explain how “ignorance is financially painful for a farmer” (personal communication, 2 October, 2014). To get the maximum value from a product there needs to be a balance between volume and quality. Mac gives the example of summer hay that is harvested to feed cattle during the winter. Some farmers allow the hay to grow as long as possible and harvest what they believe is quality cattle food. However during the winter the cattle will need more feedings. Through years of trial and error or generational experience, farmers may learn that it is better to harvest hay when it is still shorter and green instead of waiting until it gets as tall as possible because the cattle will eat less. This in return would save the farmer cost of running machinery, time, and produce heavier cattle. However, the same information can be gained through biology. Mac clarifies; biology shows that short green hay is more nutritional, whereas it loses its nutritional value as it gets taller because the stalk has more fiber and fewer beneficial nutrients. Biology explains where volume and quality meet to give the farmer the best deal for the product. Many techniques and habits that have been passed down through generations are now supported by science. Perhaps farmers did not possess a college degree, but they dealt with these complex issues with intelligence. For example, tobacco farmers have always planted rows in a North and South arrangement. Reasons behind this arrangement were not complicated, only that the plants grew better this way. Today we can measure evaporation against the units of sunlight and understand that plants facing this direction will get maximum growth. Years ago, farmers were able to make an “association” with an outcome. Since the technique worked it was continued and the next generation was informed of the method (M. McCauley, personal interview, 2 October, 2014).
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Conclusion Farming is an integral part of our culture. This paper explored some of the history, cultural norms, lifestyles, and stereotypes of the farming culture. Hopefully we see that farmers are disciplined, intelligent, diligent, flexible, and willing to adapt and face tough decisions. Unfortunately, fewer are entering the profession. Perhaps it is the financial and personal risks involved. Perhaps larger corporations can control anomalies and produce larger quantities more efficiently and cheaply. Whatever the opinion, farming deserves more appreciation. When driving by tobacco farms I now have a sense of awe. Perhaps the next time we are delayed by a tractor in traffic we can have a little more compassion. Heat trends or excessive raining may remind us that the farming community may be suffering. Our next bite of steak may taste just a bit more delicious as we now know some of the complexities of raising cattle.
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References Ahearn, M., Newton, D. (2009). Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (EBI-53). United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Ferrell, A. K. (2013). Burley: Kentucky Tobacco in a New Century. Lexington, Ky: The University Press of Kentucky. Hill, P. Avoid the Common Stereotyping of Farmers. Retrieved from Ohio State University website: http://clark.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/archivedag-articles-1/avoid-the-common-stereotyping-of-farmersrom McCauley, M. Personal Communication. 2 October, 2014. USEPA. (2014, April 14). AG 101 Demographics. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/ocaagct/ag101/demographics.html Weldi, M. Personal Communication. 24 September, 2014.