Paying it Forward: Lost in the New Generation of Farmers?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

The more I read this forum, the more I am glad to live in the neighborhood I do. Perhaps the way we treat our neighbors has a lot more to do with it than the neighbors themselves? Regardless,it seems that we still live in the good old days here compared to the rest of you.

I think it also has a lot to do with having livestock, because, everyone's will inevitably get out, and everyone will eventually need help with them.

As far as I know, I could call any of my neighbors right now at 11:00 pm on Sunday night in miserable weather and they would be here to help immediately, and vice versa also.

Hard to even keep track of who owes who a favour, try to stay on the owed end, rather than the owed.

I take the initiative to plow neighbors driveways in winter, offer use of equipment, hunting rights free reign for hiking, skiing, ATVing, collect firewood etc. Goes a long ways.

[GDR]

Had 2 baler breakdowns this summer, both days neighbour came and finished the fields for me. I have and will repay the favour as needed. A relationship like that is priceless. Have other neighbours that keep to themselves and don't know at all.

Life in general is too busy, have recently discussed with my wife how our kids like most these days are lacking in people skills. We are making an effort to socialize more as a family with others so they learn how to interact better.

Couple years ago had a landlord shopping my rent around called 2 bigger guys, one made a higher offer I had to match, the other called me to see what's going on and then bowed out of it when he found out I still wanted the land. I have huge respect for this guy now, the other not so much.

Sharing equipment is difficult in many ways but our industry is too asset heavy, why not lighten the load. So many machines we all have and need for a day or two a year. If you can work together on some things why not?

[jazz]

Sorry klause, the the 80s changed farming for good. Your quaint vision of farming utopia was lost a generation ago when farms and families consolidated after bad financial times, low prices and a string of terrible weather. This was lost long ago.

And the message to anyone still farming by the time the early 90s came around was dont count on any support at all. You want to farm, then get big, cut costs or diversify or get out.

I still remember all the failed elk and emu ventures back then.

[bucket]

And sadly the failed ostrich farmer got out and became AG minister....it's pretty easy now to see why he failed....


NO VISION.....

[SASKFARMER3]

I agree the 80s showed us that no one cares about the primary producer.

Times were awfull back then but there was opportunity also.

Now I still feel another correction is coming and lots don’t see the train.

Giving millions to startup young farmers is sad really.

Another BTO just dropped a bunch of land after two bad years.

Yea it’s a money maker buisiness