Comments on: Why Don’t American Farmers Embrace Peasant Farming?

By: david mervis

david mervis — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:57:37 +0000

whyare we seeing this article yet again..
It’s nice that the younger generation has an interest in farming but obviously she is lacking in some academic expertise

By: Jennifer Hirsch

Jennifer Hirsch — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:43:48 +0000

In reply to Jeff. And then subsequently, farm labour in states like California is and has been historically migrant labour. Just as here in the UK much of the modern farming labour pre-Brexit was eastern European migrant (seasonal and otherwise) labour. Another aspect of farming too often linked to exploitation.

By: cmcna

cmcna — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 18:18:10 +0000

Why did you go all the way to France to learn about farming? What do you consider farming? Boutique Farming? What the heck is that? Why goats? And how did those French goat farmers provide for their goats? Was milking these goats your only job description? What sources did you use to make these vague comparisons between French goats and American farmers?
Do you believe that “all” American farmers were slave owners? That couldn’t be farthest from the truth.
If you’re farming and not making a living doing so, you’re doing something very wrong.
The kind of farmers who live in the city, and lease their farms, are retired farmers, not just rich folks. They were farmers who lived within their means and avoid the banks inflated assessments seen from the Reagan years.
I just think your ideas about American farms is not realistic. Maybe get a job as a farmhand in America. Although that might be difficult to find since its not so common anymore. Then again, it’ll be based on what it produces.

By: cmcna

cmcna — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:36:59 +0000

In reply to Richard. Not so. My 5th ggp owned a large dairy farm, where he employed his married sons to make a living from farming. He never employed any slave labor, and other farmers didn't use them either. (Herkimer, NY: still large dairy farm country today). There is so much inaccuracies regarding slave labor. Indentured servants were used until the end of 1700's. Slave labor was frowned upon in the northern states, and may have been due to what was produced. Its like anything owned and operated by white folks made them all slave owners and that's just not the case, especially in the upper northern states.

By: cmcna

cmcna — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 16:29:14 +0000

In reply to Rob Johnston. . . . . . . "you know nothin' John Snow."

By: david mervis

david mervis — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:16:21 +0000

some interesting ideas but the author completely blew the arguement by trying to link the whole thing to slavery. Too bad

By: Chris123

Chris123 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:42:54 +0000

In reply to Becky hinson. @ Becky: I strongly disagree with your characterization of America's farms and farmers.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:59:15 +0000

Not sure your take on American farming is very accurate. Live in a area where there are both small and large farms (orchards, wheat, grapes). Biggest barrier to entry is access to capital. If you are a farmer who borrows, you will end up broke when your harvest doesn’t come in. So, it’s a very capital intensive business. The independent (and even large) farms in my area are multi-generational family owned farms as a result. No slavery, ever, in this area. Most of the current concerns founded 1850’s-1880’s by German or Scottish immigrants. Most have at least one recent generation where women were the major players/owners simply because over 5-6 generations that’s reality. Business will be passed to a daughter or three.

By: Tina Pratt

Tina Pratt — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 13:46:59 +0000

In reply to Becky hinson. Most true farmers know the land chemistry. Rotate crops to nourish the soil. Don’t underestimate farmers . They read nature well if allowed to do as they need!

By: Tina Pratt

Tina Pratt — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 13:44:41 +0000

In reply to Susan Fullerton. As long as your happy & your children fed . Bills paid enjoy your life. No matter anyone’s title. Her children will choose her nursing home & lose everything.