landsfarming.com

Imagine my surprise when I read an article in the April 2005 edition of Reader's Digest informing me that membership in Future Farmers of America (FFA) has hit a 22-year record high.

Since 1994, the number of farmers' markets around the country also has more than doubled, the article said.

I find these two bits of information especially interesting because small family farms have been disappearing from the countryside at an alarming rate over the past 30 years. According to statistics from the U.S. Census of Agriculture and the American Farm Bureau Federation, since 1969, the United States has lost 85 percent of its dairy farms.

Why do I care that the United States has lost so many dairy farms? I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, which has always been known as America's Dairyland. Except that today, in areas where there used to be farms all up and down the roads, there isn't a single farm left. During the same time period in which the United States lost 85 percent of its dairy farms, Wisconsin has lost 70 percent of its dairy farms.

So what is going on here?

Family farms have disappeared. Subdivisions have taken over what were once cornfields and hayfields and pastures. Creameries have been abandoned or converted to other uses. Feed mills have been torn down to make room for parking lots. And yet — FFA has the highest membership that it's had for the last 22 years? And in the past 10 years, the number of farmers' markets has more than doubled?

The Reader's Digest article speculates that the reason for the increases in FFA membership and farmers' markets is that as the United States has lost more and more farms, and as more and more people live in cities or suburbs or subdivisions, farm life has become a fascinating subject for those who have never experienced it.

I have discovered through my own research that agricultural tourism is on the rise, as well. It used to be that if you wanted to visit a farm, you had to have a grandma and grandpa or an aunt and uncle who owned a farm. Now all you have to do is go to the Internet, type in "farm tours" on Google, and websites come up that direct you to farms which have been converted to bed-and-breakfasts, farms that conduct tours of their day-to-day operations, farms that have been made into museums, and farms that give hay rides and have pumpkin patches and corn mazes.

Through a series of political, cultural and social decisions, Americans created an atmosphere that forced small family farmers to go out of business. Although now that the family farmers are all but gone, Americans have decided they are interested in knowing more about life on the farm.

What's next? One-room country schools? Or how about little white country churches?

Be that as it may, the increased interest in farming could mean new life for the small farms still in existence. Perhaps the adult children who left because there was no future in farming will return — not to farm the land and milk cows, but to turn those farms into bed and breakfasts, museums or to grow pumpkin patches, construct corn mazes and give hay rides.
*********************

About the Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" (trade paperback; July 2003) and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam" (trade paperback; October 2004) and "Preserve Your Family History (A Step-by-Step Guide for Interviewing Family Members and Writing Oral Histories) (e-book; April 2004). http://ruralroute2.com

Transformed From An Indiana Farm Boy With NO Green Thumbs Into A Knowledgeable "Backyard Gardener" In Less Than 7 Days

Hi there! Are you a gardening disaster, unable to keep even the most vicious of WEEDS growing? Do you have two "left" thumbs"yearning to become two "green" thumbs with regards to YOUR OWN successful backyard garden? Yes? Good, because that"s what I want to share with you. . . how I knew NOTHING about the basics of lawn maintenance and gardening, and transformed myself into a knowledgeable "backyard gardener" that has begun the process of cultivating my own little "patch of Heaven" to enjoy with my wife and kids.

How about you?

Are you looking to learn the basics? Want to revamp your existing, lifeless and limp garden into a vibrant and flourishing haven? What about that dream of always having your very own vegetable garden? Are you thinking of quitting to soon, when it comes to learning how to cultivate your own "homemade" fruits that you loving would be eager to share with friends and neighbors?

The starting point is to determine the finish line for you.

In the words of Stephen Covey–"Begin with the end in mind!" It"s okay to give yourself permission to dream a little bit. When"s the last time you walked around the family "homestead", whether that"s a real acre or more of raw land or maybe just a small patch of dirt off the apartment patio?

I have learned the basics on a variety of garden topics and have started to turn my knowledge into action with my own backyard!

Let"s just be upfront that NO ONE can become a master gardener without years of experience and increasing their knowledge base. BUT, as is my case, I can guarantee that YOU can raise yourself to a "backyard
gardener" standard by absorbing the experience and knowledge of other successful gardeners!

I am doing it"you can too!

Let me summarize some of what I have been able to learn and apply in my own life by giving a little demonstration of my own "before and after" knowledge:

THE BEFORE PICTURE:

Grass & Lawn care"Grass is what the "yard" is made up of. I know there are a couple of different kinds, only one I can think off of the top of my head is "crab grass". Also know how to use a lawn mower and a "weed eater" to trim along the driveway and sidewalks.

Flowers"Bought in a pot or planter of some sort from the nearest Home Depot or Lowe"s store. Require watering; but degree of shade and life cycle of a certain flower . . . what"s that?

Vegetables"WHEN we eat them with dinner, they come straight from the market (usually in a can or a frozen back, right?). Of course, being from Indiana, I was raised on corn, green beans, peas, etc. Don"t give me any of that "foo-foo California vegetables" and stuff"like asparagus and such that my wife, native Southern California girl that she is, just LOVES! And growing them? Fo"get "bout it!
Fruits"Peaches, oranges and apples are an easy to think of since the fruit is right there hanging off the tree for the taking, BUT starting from scratch, who has the time and patience to MAINTAIN these bad boys?

The Seasons"Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, right? But what about "zones" for differences in climate and environment across the U.S.? I have no idea EXCEPT that palm trees seem to do really well in Southern
California!

Gardening Tools"A spade? That"s either a little hand shovel or it"s a type of symbol when playing cards. . . as mentioned above, my "tool" knowledge consisted of the lawn mower, a "weed eater" and a pair of gloves. Not anymore!

THE AFTER PICTURE:

Grass & Lawn care"Lawns tend to be one of the most labor intensive and repetitive jobs in your landscaping endeavors. By the way, most lawns are a mixture of grass types, and allows for the "ol "survival" of the fittest to take place. Reducing your lawn area by using different types of ground cover or flower beds will provide some enhanced beauty and lessen the overall work load! Ground cover is foliage that applies to many types of plants. Though many different kinds for different uses, they all tend to spread horizontally very rapidly often by vining or creeping plants.

Flowers"There are several types of flowers to plan into your "patch" but one of the "regular favorites" is annuals because they bloom so fully, and the amazing color. The essence of an annual is that it
germinates from a seed, growing into a mature plant that flowers, then sets its seed and finally dies. All of this happens in a single growing season. I also know now that "deadheading" is when you remove the
fading flowers so that you prevent the seed formation and the bulbs will keep flowering!

Vegetables"When planning a vegetable garden, like my wife and I are currently doing, we have learned to focus on two things: 1.) creating a rich, abundant soil and 2.) spacing plants in beds instead of rows. Growing plants together will allow them to shade the ground, reducing evaporation from the soil and discouraging weeds. Also keep in mind that you don"t want to have to recruit an "army of workers" come harvest
time! Planning and organizing your goals with regards to vegetables will help create a fun and enticing experience with less "back breaking" chores to upkeep!

Fruits"I have learned what one of the MOST FRIENDLY types of fruits a weekend gardener, like us, can grow is . . . Do you know what it is? Its blueberries! Why? Because they require very little pruning and that pruning needs very little skill to accomplish. Just my cup of tea"low maintenance and a hearty enough fruit to survive my inexperience and low skill level!

The Seasons"Originally I only thought of "gardening" when it came to Springtime and all the new life to enjoy"the flowers blooming, the bees working their way from one to the next, sunshine and fresh air! Not the case! Little did I know or even think about was the fact that you can do some "good work" all year long that will enable your garden to flourish and expand even more so during the "blossom" time. Also depending on which type of "zone" your in will help determine how much of a weekend gardening game plan you will want to plan, work and enjoy! Just as an FYI, check out the National Arboretum site for information about your temperate zone: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Gardening Tools"A spade, the traditional English digging tool, has a flat, rectangular blade, attached at an angle to a short handle. They are useful for digging up the ground with your weight behind them. Mattocks are a digging tool that looks like a thick axe head and can be used to cut roots and for difficult soil types like rocky, hard-baked clay. A bulb planter cuts out a circle of earth as you jam it into the soil. You then insert the bulb and knock the soil back in to cover.

See, it"s just a matter of learning the basics! Again, if I can do it"then so can you! And these are just the starting tools.

See? What did I tell ya? I"ve gone from a "know-nothing" farm boy and changed myself into a somewhat knowledgeable "weekend gardener" in hardly anytime at all.

Of course, this is just the beginning. I am just getting started with the planning and planting! BUT, the great thing is that this has now given my wife and my boys something to have the whole family involved with! What can we come up with as a family to grow together?!? It"s very exciting and awesome to now be able to spend some great time together outside and enjoy God"s creation by being part of the "growing" cycle.

I hope you find enjoyment and happiness in developing your own "weekend gardening" skills and knowledge. Just get started! That"s what I did, and you can too!

About the author:

Jerold Johnson is the author of the brand NEW book that spoofs Atkins and the dieting industry! In his spare time, he wanted to learn how to start turning those ugly, dead dirt spots in the backyard into something amazing–a beautiful garden spot! You can do it too! http://www.Dr-FATkins.com/garden/

If you live in California, you know that farming still plays an important role in the Californian economy. With nearly 40 million residents, the Golden State still has farms producing a wide variety of agricultural products. Indeed, California is a leader in the production of wine and cheese; California products are seen at grocers all over America. So, how do you get started? By reading the suggestions we have outlined below!

Financial Institutions - Commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan institutions as well as credit unions are all good places to go for you California farm loan. You need to bring with you detailed financial information including a list of your assets, pay stubs, references, and more. While at the lending institution you will be given the appropriate forms and disclosures to help you get started. Depending on which lending institution you choose, they may have a separate California Farm Loan department or it may be part of their small business association
department.

Government Agencies - The state of California is a large provider of government services. Naturally, they want their multibillion dollar industry to thrive and the appropriate agencies are in place to assist you with your California Farm Loan. Call Sacramento to find out which agency is right for you.

Farm Associations - Your local farmers probably belong to a farm association. Pay the association a visit and see if they offer California Farm Loan plans. Some may act as an agent for the U.S. federal government's Farm Service Agency [part of the USDA] and can then point you in the right direction. In any case, check with the
association on their recommendations.

You can also borrow against your own assets and create your own California Farm Loan. If you have equity in a home, a 401(k) plan, a life insurance policy, or other assets these may turn out to be important funding devices for your new farm.

California Farm Loans are available to you, especially if your credit is good. Do some research, talk with other farmers, and find the loan that is right for you. Soon, you will be tilling soil and planting the crops that will grace American dinner tables.

The most important and difficult part in farm mortgage shopping is to compare the farm loans of different lenders. To understand better you have to know that the farm mortgage contains more than interest rates
like quoted rate, points and closing costs. Now you have to understand each part, so the points equals the percents of the farm loan amount. These percents are used to make a higher rate of the farm loan. You will
notice that you are able to choose a large mass of points and rates for only one loan product. So, the best solution when comparing different lenders is to compare the associate points. The final amount of the farm loan consists almost everything, title, farm loan related fees, escrow fees.

One other thing when building a farm loan is to investigate the different lenders and compare all farm loan features like the farm mortgage insurance payments, or the requirements of credit and cash, etc. A special attention should be paid to prepayment penalties and, of course to the availability of conversion option.

Although, you still have to compare the lock-in period, that means the period when all the quoted points and interest rate will be guaranteed. The usually lock-in period are 30 to 60 days, but you can find some of them offering only a short period of 15 days. You have to have in mind, the longest lock-in period, the highest price of the farm loan. The lock-in period should cover enough time to allow for settlement.

One final thing good to know is to compare the interest rates of the same day, because these kind of rates are changing daily. So, the best way to compare farm loans from different lenders is to compare farm loan products of the same type. It really doesn't make sense to chose from different types of farm loans program.

There are still some fees you have to pay in connection with the farm loan, these fees usual containing the farm mortgage insurance, the tax services, the wire transfer or any other fees given by the lenders. A good fact is that these fees can include discounts based on points, so the higher the number of points, the higher discount of the total fee.

If you are considering the purchase of either a farm or a ranch, you know that the cost of purchasing your property can exceed one million dollars. Quite frankly, not that many people are resourceful enough to fund this purchase themselves. Farm and ranch loans are available to you and at a rate that you can afford.

What options do you have to finance your property? With careful research you can examine various plans available to you and close on a deal sooner than you think. We list three important plans for you here:

1. Your local bank or savings institution. Throughout the U.S. there are financial institutions specializing in farm and ranch loans. Many have existed well before the dust bowl era and are proudly serving their communities today. Others have been snapped up by national banks, but they still faithfully serve their communities. The rate you pay for your loan can vary depending on whether your property is currently being used for production agriculture or not.

2. Your state government. Many states have set up agricultural associations to assist farmers and ranchers in obtaining low cost loans. Loan rates are usually competitive with financial institutions and may actually be lower if the state has a vested interest in saving farms and ranches in your area. Contact your state government for the correct agency.

3. The federal government. Agriculture is a key commodity for the American economy and the US federal government understands this. The United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] actively assists people
in obtaining farm and ranch loans. The Farm Service Agency is part of the USDA and their plans include loans to beginning farmers and ranchers, low income farmers and ranchers, emergency loans, youth loans, and farm ownership loans. Speak with an agent to find the farm and ranch loans that are of interest to you.

You may also find that a family member or friend can provide farm and ranch loans to you too. If that is the case, have a contract drawn up outlining principle borrowed, interest rate, loan repayment information, etc.

Owning your own farm or ranch is a dream for many Americans. Research wisely and you will find farm and ranch loans that are affordable to you.

Forty years ago when I was a little girl growing up on our dairy farm in
west central Wisconsin, I thought everyone lived on a farm. Then again, many of my kindergarten classmates lived on farms, too, so maybe I wasn’t completely off base.

Later on, however, after I had graduated from high school and started
traveling around the United States, I was hard-pressed to meet anyone who had ever been on a dairy farm, much less lived on one. People would ask me where I was from and when I told them Wisconsin, they’d say, “I suppose you lived on a dairy farm.”

After a while, it became clear to me that for people in other states,
“Wisconsin” and “dairy farm” were synonymous. I would explain that
not everyone in Wisconsin lives on a dairy farm, and then I would find
myself answering questions about what it was like growing up on a farm.

Today, most of the small family dairy farms like the one where I grew up are gone. My parents milked 20 cows, but farmers can no longer make a living that way. Milk prices have essentially stayed the same since the 1970s, and many small farmers decided to sell their dairy herds when their business expenses ended up exceeding their gross farm income year after year.

Even though most of the small family farms have disappeared, the
evidence that they once existed remains in the empty dairy barns
scattered around the countryside in the pastures that have been turned into residential subdivisions in the creameries that have been
abandoned or converted into other uses.

And in my stories about growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm.

My books "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" (July 2003) and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam" (October 2004) each contain 20 true stories about growing up on a family farm 40 years ago. Christmas in Dairyland includes a number of family recipes (lefse; sugar cookies; bon-bons; Christmas bread; fattigman; and several others). Both books are appropriate for readers of all ages.

Christmas in Dairyland — Celebrate Christmas during a simpler time 40
years ago when happiness was baking cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, or even just getting out of wearing snow boots to school.

Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam — Stories set on a small
family dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago at a time when small family
farms still dotted the countryside and summertime meant learning to
drive the tractor, making ice cream, and riding a pony to the hayfield.

Here are what some of my readers are saying about the books:

I have to tell you I feel a little sad. Just read the LAST page of "Give me a home where the dairy cows roam." I enjoyed every word. . . I wish your book went on forever . . .now, bring on "Cream of the Crop!" I'll be waiting! Anita(Wisconsin)

I really have enjoyed both of your books so much! As I mentioned before, this is my life between the covers of your book and it really takes me back to the good life we had growing up. Your father sounds like he was a very compassionate and caring individual, as my father was and I think most small-time farmers were: always putting their family and cows first. I also loved all your haying stories, as I could also relate to all of your events. Well done and I look forward to your next book! Carol (Massachusetts)

I have read both of your books ("Christmas in Dairyland" and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam")and thoroughly enjoyed all the stories! I think my favorite is the one when you FINALLY got your horse, Dusty. What a wonderful writer you are, as I feel like I'm right there with you on all of your adventures! My mother-in-law loved the books, also. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more books! Danielle (Indiana) I'm in the middle of reading "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam." I also enjoyed reading "Christmas in Dairyland" You know how to make the reader feel like we are right there. When is your next book coming out? Carol (Nebraska)

Visit http://ruralroute2.com to find out how to order "Christmas in Dairyland" and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam."

More Books About Farms:

Books that are appropriate for younger readers (ages 4 to 8 ) include:

"Living on Farms" (Allan Fowler; 2000)

"Moonstruck: The Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon" (Gennifer Choldenko; 1997)

Another book that tells more about the country lifestyle is "Country Style: Living the Farm Life" (Doris Stensland; 2004)

Here are some other classic books of true stories that relate to country life and farm life:

"All Things Wise and Wonderful" (James Herriot; 1998)

"All Creatures Great and Small" (James Herriot; 1998)

"The Lord God Made Them All" (James Herriot; 1998)

"Every Living Thing" (James Herriot; 1993)

"James Herriot's Dog Stories" (James Herriot; 1990)

"James Herriot's Cat Stories" (James Herriot; 1994)

"Once Upon a Farm" (Lois Stark; 1992)

"Farmer Boy" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"On the Banks of Plum Creek" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"By the Shores of Silver Lake" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"Little House on the Prairie" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"Little House in the Big Woods" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"The Long Winter" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"Little Town on the Prairie" (Laura Ingalls Wilder; 1953)

"The Land Remembers" (Ben Logan; 25th Anniversary edition; 1999)

"One Room Country School" (Jerry Apps; 1996)

"Barns of Wisconsin" (Jerry Apps; 2001)

"Humor from the Country" (Jerry Apps; 2001)

"Rural Wisdom: Time-Honored Values of the Midwest" (Jerry Apps; 1997)

"Every Farm Tells a Story" (Jerry Apps; March 2005)

Country Ways and Country Days: From Windvanes and Tractors to Auctions and Outhouses: Remembering Rural Life (Jerry Apps; July 2005)

"Cheese: The Making of a Wisconsin Tradition" (Jerry Apps; April 1998)

"When Chores Were Done" (Jerry Apps; January 1999)

About the Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books "Christmas in Dairyland" and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam." http://ruralroute2.com

A farm: “Land that is being operated by one producer with equipment, labor, accounting system, and management substantially separate from that of any other unit. Land on which tenants provide their own labor and equipment shall not be considered a separate farm.”

A farm is a section of land devoted to the production and management of food, either produce or livestock. The land and buildings that are associated with a farm are called the farmstead. This is the basic unit of agriculture. A farm can be owned by a enterprise, a single individual, family, or community, or it may be owned by a corporation or company, like a state farm <http://www.farm-spot.com>. There are several vehicles used for farming a few of which are: Combine harvesters, Farm tractors, Pickup trucks, Tractors and Trailers, swathers,etc. Farms range greatly in range from a small hectare section or fraction of, to several thousand hectares.

The english word “Farm”, goes back to the Anglo-Saxon word “feorm”, which means provisioning and food supply. It started out being a way of taxation, where agricultural goods had money value, and were to be given to the king. This kind of rental taxation still exists, however we use money as the standard currency today.

Developing farms and farming in general was one of the most important components in establishing a town. Once people began to get involved in active farming, roads, and a market evolved, which meant the community would also grow as a town. With the exception of plantations and colonial farms, farm sizes tend to be small in newly settled lands and to extend as transportation and markets become sophisticated. Farming rights have been central to a number of revolutions, wars of liberation.