We live on a mesa, which is one of the foothills of the Uncompahgre Plateau
We are an arid land, but made rich and green by melted snow rushing its way through the Black Canyon, then into Gunnison tunnel, and finally through a complicated canal system which irrigates fertile farm and ranch lands.
You can see Delta in the valley and Eckert all the way to Cedaredge going up the side of Grand Mesa (the largest flat top mountain in the world)
During WWII farming was America’s’ biggest war industry. On more than six million farms, something like 30 million people-men and boys, women and girls-worked.
Today less than 2% of America’s industry is farming.
The Uncompahgre Plateau is in the background with one of the apricot trees in the forefront
Twenty two million American workers produce, process, sell and trade and … live on farms– slightly less than 2 percent of the total U.S. Population
It’s a good life.
And that’s all anyone can ask for.
For the last in the series about the bank robbery head over here.
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Just saying hello and letting you know I’m still here and still love reading what you write. I no longer live on the farm, but I miss it every day.
Especially the smell of freshly plowed fields. Sigh…
Much peace to you,
Meadow
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Very interesting, Linda…. You all seem to be in a perfect place for farming… I probably have asked you this before, but were you and hubby both born and raised in this area? Someday, I hope we can get out there to see you.
Sad to see our farming leave the USA… I’d hate to think where the food we eat these days comes from. Gads!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
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I know that farming is hard work, but you do live in a beautiful area. I’m glad you can appreciate the beauty.
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Wow! I had no idea only two percent of our population provides so much for so many…and are so little appreciated. Like the saying goes: “If you complain about farmers, don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Your photos of the hills are beautiful and those fields and fruit blossoms aren’t bad either.
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Magically beautiful photos! How swiftly things change when the seasons do.
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It looks and sounds like a good life ( :
I wonder if we will ever have to reclaim the land for farming… I read to many science fiction books. lol
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Very pretty! I hope to visit CO some day.
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You live in some beautiful country. I can’t believe you have trees blooming already. Country living IS good.
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Hi Linda!!!
Ah the cycle of life!! You always have beautiful pictures and I love to read about your farm.
Our daughter over across the mtns. LOL in CSprings, says its been soooo dry over there, there is enough snow pack for water but everything is dry and brown.
Take care!!!
Pam
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It’s a hard life but it is a good life! It is sad how the tide has turned. On the bright side I LOVE your apricot tree and the views from your farm. Thank you for sharing those and the tidbits of information!
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I don’t know what the comparable figures are for the UK, but I do know that the farming industry has shrunk – despite huge subsidies!
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That blooming apricot tree is beautiful!!!
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Beautiful pictures, as usual! Its sad that farming is becoming a lost art, when we all still need to eat.
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It is a good life Linda.
And as the world’s population continues to grow I think farmers will be more and more appreciated.
Your post title took me back many years to riding beside my father when he would sing the following little ditty:
“It’s springtime in the Rockies,
And the mountain air is clean,
I cannot read my catalogue like I used to do,
Cause the moon is bright, and I’m half tight
and life is just beginnin’.
I can’t go huntin’ with you Jake,
cause I’m goin’ chasin’ women”.
Which we would sing in our best American accents. Funny memories.
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Let’s add that farmers and ranchers are the ones responsible for preserving most of our open space, which keeps our country beautiful for everyone.
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I am hoping that we as a nation are getting back to the small family run farms, if not for profit then to fill our own tables, which for too long has been a lost and dying art. One of my brothers gave me a lecture just a couple days ago on the value of smaller farms, I expect any day now to get the same lecture from the other brother;)
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I just stumbled across your blog via another blog and will now be a regular reader. We live on a cattle ranch in Eckert and I feel for you and the constant struggle with the dang wind. I blog about our life at barnraisin.blogspot.com. Can’t wait to read more from you!
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So beautiful. And I’m so glad you are a part of it. Thanks for sharing. Have enjoyed reading all the stories…when I was supposed to be working ;-). Nice break.
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Such pretty photo of your area..I love your Apricot tree..I sure hope you get fruit this year! 🙂
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