Hay Farmers getting out of farming

[Fuddy1952]

So strange...my older brother...parents paid for college (PhD), a new car (he totaled it drunk), money...now a bankrupt alcoholic.
He plays that pity party dealt a bad hand game. Always drama...I finally said that's because you love it! Wow! You'd thought I slapped him.
Injured veterans, accident victims doing their best I have the utmost respect and admiration for. My wife has medical problems but a great attitude, does the best she can, and she does well.

 

[JDZ735M]

It’s amazing what you can get done in America if you’re willing to work for it.

I am acquainted with many people who are excellent examples of just that.

 

[deserteagle71]

I dropped out of high school and left for college with no idea how I was gonna survive with nothing other than a $500 van and a sleeping bag. I’d like to think I’ve done alright. It’s amazing what you can get done in America if you’re willing to work for it.

Exactly!
My dad came to the USA (with my family) owing passage across the Atlantic (this was a government program at the time) and had to work for 3 years on a big farm in Virginia until he paid off our passage. Then he worked in a factory until he saved enough to put a downpayment on a small farm with 10 cows and a team of horses to work the land. For years he worked a factory job at night, and the farm during the day. Working like that he managed to put me and both of my siblings through college (priority of his) and by the time he retired, his life was quite comfortable. And all that hard work didn't hurt him - he lived to within a few weeks of his 104th birthday!

 

[Hay Dude]

No offense but all my life I've heard people having this "woe is me" attitude which I've never understood. Life isn't a card game and there are lots of rags to riches stories.
Before my Dad passed I told him the greatest thing he ever gave me was a work ethic, but never money. I wanted a bike, I got a paper route. A car, worked at a service station. College, worked two jobs to pay for.
Same with everything. I thanked him for NOT giving me money. I appreciate everything I have knowing I worked hard for it.
The homeles? Get a job!!!!! There are help wanted signs everywhere. Work two jobs like I did. Do you know how many homeless have substance abuse or mental problems?
Is the solution for hard working "I was dealt a good hand" taxpayers to pay for those who don't want to work (lazy), addicts (drugs, alcohol), etc.?
Many times I see people on the street corner holding a "Will work for food" sign. I roll down the window saying " Hop in! I have lots of chores for you. We'll feed you, even give you some extra food". Some I say "Hungry? I won't give you money, but I'll bring you some food!" Guess what their reply is? "No thanks...I want money".
Will work for food. Woe is me. I was dealt a bad hand.
FOOEY!!!!!

……Teach a man to fish…….

“give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”​

My dad was same. I am doing same with my kids.

 

[ultrarunner]

Great thread and Moss specific, I enjoy reading your posts, very informative.

That said, I don't agree that a low double digit poverty level is a sign of most people having a good life.

I used to be critical of welfare, food stamps, wic, ect. But looked into the poverty brackets: I came to the conclusion(s)

1. I consider myself frugal (cheap) and live a modest life on an embarrassing multiple of the poverty level.
2. While I am sure fraud exists, I doubt there are many people really having additional children to get a very small bump in welfare/food stamps. I have opinions on how people get to those circumstances, but, am far less judgmental than I used to be.

Best,

ed

Managing assisted rentals for decades I can relate both good and bad when it comes to those on assistance and most definitely success stories but not many... unfortunately the scammers can leave a person jaded where otherwise wouldn't be.

 

[OzarkChris]

So strange...my older brother...parents paid for college (PhD), a new car (he totaled it drunk), money...now a bankrupt alcoholic.
He plays that pity party dealt a bad hand game. Always drama...I finally said that's because you love it! Wow! You'd thought I slapped him.
Injured veterans, accident victims doing their best I have the utmost respect and admiration for. My wife has medical problems but a great attitude, does the best she can, and she does well.

My parents didn't pay us to do our chores, they were expected to be done. They weren't rich and couldn't pay for college. I too worked several jobs, got scholarships, and still had >$250,000 in student loans when I graduated med school in 1976. I went into the Military because they told me if I worked for them they would pay off that loan.

Moral of the story, if you look hard enough and aren't afraid to do what's necessary to get what you need, you can get what you need (maybe not what you "think" you want). Hard work never hurt anyone - probably made them even better.

My kids, I brought them up the same way. They have on several occasions said they were glad I instilled a good work ethic and morals in them - even though when they were kids you would have thought they hated me.

 

[Fuddy1952]

My parents didn't pay us to do our chores, they were expected to be done. They weren't rich and couldn't pay for college. I too worked several jobs, got scholarships, and still had >$250,000 in student loans when I graduated med school in 1976. I went into the Military because they told me if I worked for them they would pay off that loan.

Moral of the story, if you look hard enough and aren't afraid to do what's necessary to get what you need, you can get what you need (maybe not what you "think" you want). Hard work never hurt anyone - probably made them even better.

My kids, I brought them up the same way. They have on several occasions said they were glad I instilled a good work ethic and morals in them - even though when they were kids you would have thought they hated me.

Kids will appreciate and love you and Hay Dude for it. Work ethic, appreciation, pride, etc.

 

[sree251]

No worries, I could take it and still kick your ass.
But thanks, Ill be 100% soon. Surgery wont be bad they say

I won't ask what the surgery is for but do let us know when it's over. We need you back in action. First cut hay will be upon us soon.

 

[OzarkChris]

8 million job openings in the US

I think we may have offended Sree. Maybe the jobs he's trained for don't exist where he lives - not a big job market for those with degrees in underwater basket weaving!

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I have no need for hay - so I have others come cut/bale/haul out. The property, for me, is not about making money ... I am retired. All I want is for the grass to be cut. My goal is solely to bring in enough money to provide enough herbicide/fertilizer to make the grass desirable. This is becoming an losing proposition with the cost of fertilizer heading to the moon - so I'm dealing with increasing sedge in the pastures. It looks like I'll soon be mowing the place instead of haying.

 

[OzarkChris]

My wife has medical problems but a great attitude, does the best she can, and she does well.

You've definitely got a keeper! With a good attitude, I'm sure she will come out on the bright side of life!

 

[OzarkChris]

Have you ever really noticed that hay farming is really nothing more than a running a landscape service on steroids? Always cutting grass, raking it up and taking the grass somewhere else - maybe I need to get me one of them Industrial sized leaf blowers so I could really look the part ...

 

[sree251]

I think we may have offended Sree. Maybe the jobs he's trained for don't exist where he lives - not a big job market for those with degrees in underwater basket weaving!

No offense taken at all. Great conversation going on here. My negativity probably energized it.

You know what? All this American pride in having that true battle grit at The Alamo doesn't float my boat. I am ashamed of the fact that we are not a peaceful nation. The sight of an injured vet depresses me. It really does. And you say you are in a wheelchair working on your farm. The thought of that is excruciating to me. Why not work as a family physician? Wouldn't that be right up your alley and be a boon to the rural folks at Calamine?

 

[prichard]

Tell us about your farming operation.

That was not directed at you. I was agreeing with you.

I don't have a farm and never offered my uninformed opinion of what that takes.

 

[OzarkChris]

No offense taken at all. Great conversation going on here. My negativity probably energized it.

You know what? All this American pride in having that true battle grit at The Alamo doesn't float my boat. I am ashamed of the fact that we are not a peaceful nation. The sight of an injured vet depresses me. It really does. And you say you are in a wheelchair working on your farm. The thought of that is excruciating to me. Why not work as a family physician? Wouldn't that be right up your alley and be a boon to the rural folks at Calamine?

So explain this. Are you the type that thinks we should all just sit around holding hands singing Kumbaya?

As far as doctoring goes, we have plenty of young stock around here and I really dont want back in that field. Besides, my licensure hasn't been active since 1986. Started working as a psychologist in '89

 

[KiotiKowboy]

..... I am ashamed of the fact that we are not a peaceful nation. .....

To whom much is given, much will be required. - Luke12:48

If not the United States ... Who?

 

[dirttoys]

My parents didn't pay us to do our chores, they were expected to be done. They weren't rich and couldn't pay for college. I too worked several jobs, got scholarships, and still had >$250,000 in student loans when I graduated med school in 1976. I went into the Military because they told me if I worked for them they would pay off that loan.

Moral of the story, if you look hard enough and aren't afraid to do what's necessary to get what you need, you can get what you need (maybe not what you "think" you want). Hard work never hurt anyone - probably made them even better.

My kids, I brought them up the same way. They have on several occasions said they were glad I instilled a good work ethic and morals in them - even though when they were kids you would have thought they hated me.

Couple of things,

Although you are a bit south of my piece of the Ozarks, you seem like a smart guy with a ton of interesting experiences, I would take the drive and buy the drinks to have an interesting conversation.

My politics aside, I struggle seeing folks in abject poverty. I know how the appearance is there are a glut of jobs available. And folks just need to get it together, put down the needle, and get to work.

I think one of you MD's was in psyc. You mention the struggles of your brother. Have you ever personally or have an opinion on how we could put some number of these folks in a better place for themselves, as well as society?

Best,

ed

 

[sree251]

To whom much is given, much will be required. - Luke12:48

If not the United States ... Who?

Why don't you spell out what you mean instead of speaking in metaphors?

The US is blessed. Is that what you are implying? But we are not doing good. Anyone who has traveled abroad would know that nobody likes us. Why don't we use those blessings on ourselves to wipe out poverty in America? Deploy our resources to irrigate our farms instead of squandering them in foreign lands. Why don't we treat the public purse like our personal money?

 

[OzarkChris]

Anyone who has traveled abroad would know that nobody likes us.

I believe I'm an "Anyone" and I Have traveled/lived extensively abroad - not just for a holiday. I'm not bragging, but I've probably been in 2 dozen or more countries. Including the Far East, Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas.. From Vietnam to Frankfurt, from Moscow to Bombay (Mumbai) and from Nome (AK) to South of Panama and many others. In my experiences, folks in these areas really do like the US more than those that don't. Typically those that you claim to be a champion for, are the ones that like us the most. These folks have the first hand experiences of Socialism, Marxism, Dictatorial regimes, etc and would love to be able to do something as simple as sharing/stating their opinion. They understand what it's like to not have food, property, basic rights, etc.

Not sure where you are getting your information, but in real life, that information is wrong!

 

[ultrarunner]

That’s the conundrum… those that don’t hold the United States in esteem and those willing to risk it all just for a chance here…

Farming has always been about economy of scale unless you find a niche.

There are no more 25-30 milk cows dairy farm in my grandparents area but there are farms that have expanded to 100 milk cows with hay fields of neighbors no longer farming…

Technology makes it possible…

As a child visiting the farm the tractor pulled a haywagon loaded by hand… next visit loading/unloading mechanized and now fields mowed and hay stored wrapped in field…