There are new feet walking on our farmland
Terry has rented out a large part of our farm ground! (Although, Terry kept some to ‘play’ with…which means farm, you do understand. 🙂 )
A big heart-wrenching change, but Terry says it is time to cut back–to cut down the workload.
From my heart to yours,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
But, how great that a young man wants to work the land. I hope Terry has the opportunity to pass on everything he’s learned about this piece of blessed earth, and how it has been improved in his time on it.
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They are a very nice family so I might get the chance of playing with a one-year-old again. 🙂
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I am happy for both of you!!
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Thankfully he kept a goodly amount to ‘play’ with so he can still be out on the land. 🙂
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A drastic change but it will be a good one. It is good to know there are younger people willing to take on the job of feeding all of us.
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It’s a huge change, but he feels content. He still has a large chunk of land to ‘play’ with, so I don’t think he will get bored. I think I’m having a harder time than he is. 🙂
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So good to hear that he is cutting back a little! I bet he kept a big chunk to play with! It will be a change for you both:) It will be okay!
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That’s what he says…he is very glad to be moving into this new way of living.
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Oh my! What a change this will be. but also what an opportunity for a like minded family.
MB
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Yes…they get to do the bulk of the work, but we still have ‘some’.
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It’s hard but it’s time for you and Terry to enjoy some down time. Farming is hard work and it’s great that a younger generation is interested in carrying on the legacy. I which you both the very best.
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Thanks, Cheryl!
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New life coming in. I’m glad to hear younger folks wanting to work the land.
How many acres do y’all have?
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We have 80, not big by today’s standard
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Oh, how well I can identify with this!! I’m happy for you to have less of a work load, and hope the younger generation has success! While “moving on” is bittersweet, there are many perks, and I hope you and Terry enjoy them!
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Thank you, Alica. We have kept all the pastures so we have ‘some’ work to do, but nothing like we did. 🙂
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Been there done that!!! You are so lucky to have worked together on your farm all these years. Cutting back some is much better than stopping all together! I still spend time ever day at our farm. Just seems like the thing to do, Connection to the home place (in the family 150 years) very strong.
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Oh! How we understand what you are saying. Good morning, Frank.
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Linda I remember a year or two ago when you wondered if it was time to get out of the farming operation all together….then you both decided to keep at it. This seems very wise to lighten the load and yet still retain some of the land for you two to farm. I hope it all works out very well for you and your new tenants. God Bless you both as you make some tough decisions.
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I think age got to us…working hard for about 1/2 doesn’t work with you have a lot of heavy work on a farm…this way we can still farm but in a manageable way.
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I know how hard it is to give up the land….but it is still yours and if you really can’t stand it, you can always take it back at the end of the lease. Change is always hard especially after decades of routine. Just give it time.
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Terry is feeling pretty good about it right now. We still have the pastures and that requires us to manage all the ditches, but the heavy work is now the Knob boys they have grown up farming and farm about 3, 000 acres now, but were looking for more ground. Works for all of us.
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There comes a time when doing heavy physical work your whole life should give way to more family time, projects and hobbies you haven’t had the time to pursue when working full time. And keeping some land to keep a hand in the soil is great! All my best wishes for this new chapter. More sunsets, walks with Boomer and holding hands!
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Thank you….we have kept all the pastures and a the hills so there will still be stuff to do, but nothing like the heavy farming we used to do.
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It truly is the end or an era, but at least Terry still has some land so that he can play in the dirt!. You can take the man out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of a man.
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No you can not!! You are ever so right!
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I’m so happy for you both! It’s good he kept some land to “plays with, because I do understand that the farm is way way imore than a job to retire from.
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You are so right, Sallie….it is way more than a job for him…it is his way of being.
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Gads! That is saddening to read; although I totally get it. I know it will eventually be time for us to do the same. I am not there to do what I must, and even when I get back, I will not be able to do it forever.
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I know…these very physical jobs take their toll and THAT is what makes us retire. 😦
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I would not mind so much. It is what my ancestors eventually did as a younger generation took over. For us though, there is an extra layer of difficulty, since our farm is surrounded by some of the most expensive real estate in the World. We know that the Farm can not continue as it had. There are so many trying to find problems with it because they want the land to build more monstrous homes on, just like was done over the entire Santa Clara Valley. I will be the last generation here. The Farm will become a public space after that. Hopefully, the arboretum (where we grow our stock plants) will be maintained as such, and maybe, generations from now, will be like one of those pretty public parks in the East. I not expect it to survive as I would like it to, but I would be pleased if it becomes a public space where many can enjoy it, rather than more monster homes that destroy the idyllic nature of the place.
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Oh! I am so with you. Can you lock it up legally now so that will be a truth when you are gone?
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Is it ‘supposed’ to be set up as such already. However, developers are always trying to find ways to get around it, such as condemning the property before it becomes a public space. It is as if we must abandon the business and donate the land in order to protect it. We have been accused of polluting the creek with chemicals that we do not use. We have been accused of importing Phytophthora ramorum into the region. It happens with properties such as these. Even private residences that are on desirable property have been condemned and forced to sell to developers who want to build something different. It is so unAmerican!
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I went through that a few years ago. It sucks! I hope you can survive!
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I intend to.
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That sure is a big change … it must be hard for both of you! Nice to know that you will still have some land to play with … gosh how many acres must that be? Hugs
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Not much about 36
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Charlee: “That does sound like quite a change, but we hope it leaves you with more time and energy to do other things you love to do.”
Chaplin: “Like take walks with Boomer!”
Charlee: “And work on your garden patches!”
Chaplin: “And of course to continue to farm the part you’re going to continue to farm.”
Charlee: “Yes, we hope and bet farming that smaller plot will be very rewarding without being stretched so far to work the whole thing!”
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Charlee I think you and Chaplin have figured it out! 🙂
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