Recollections from “good old days” back on the farm TRADING THOUGHTS

A recent article discussing difficulties of getting into the farming business explained that the cost of a new tractor is now around $1 million.

Farmland sells from $1,000 an acre to over $3,000 depending on the soil and productivity. I remember when farmland sold for $10 an acre. What a change!

The article got me recalling a 1950’s incident when I was 13. The Christensens, living two miles down the road were retiring and selling the farm.

I was sad. When I walked home from school I often stopped into their place— only one-half mile from the school. Mrs. Christensen always had a cookie and glass of milk or hot chocolate for me and a nice visit.

If the weather turned bad she would use the fence line phone to let my folks know I was okay or needed a ride home for two miles.

When I heard they were selling I encouraged my father and uncle to buy the two section (1,280 acres) farm. Asking price was $12,000. They wouldn’t consider buying. They said the price was too high.

The land sold to neighbours from 15 miles away for the asking price of just over $9 an acre.

The White Brothers farmed it for over 40 years, sell-