In the News - June 2008
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
If an old barn could talk
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - I can't recall the number of times I've heard the
statement, "If this old barn could talk, what a story it could tell." The
stories could involve unsolved mysteries or serve to enlighten us about the
ambitions or broken dreams of the men and women who spent so much of their life
beneath its roof.
In traveling rural America, barns of all shapes, sizes and state of disrepair
can be seen. To earlier generations, the barn stood as a symbol, which spoke
volumes about the family who operated the farm. It represented pride and
prosperity, while also hinting of the experience and education of those who made
plans and fulfilled promises beneath its roof.
Inside a barn, the fragrance of fresh cured hay mingled with that of animals
and equipment. The barn was used for storage, to stable, doctor and market
animals, grain, milk and other produce. Terms used in reference to its strength
and size were commonly understood without further explanation.
In row-crop country, barns served to house teams of horses and mules, feed,
tack and related equipment. The size of the barn spoke of the crop acreage, the
number of teams and workers that a farmer could put in the field.
Unlike today, a young, conservative farm family may have begun with only a
small shed, but to them it represented a new beginning. The size of the barn
would increase along with their experience and success. It would be at some
point in the future when a larger barn served to inform, without words to any
who passed, about the pride and prosperity of the family who worked the land.
Recently, a news reporter expressed dismay that fewer young families were
choosing farming as an occupation. The old adage, "I wouldn't wish that on
anyone!" seems to fit. Debt load, weather and a 24-hour clock that never seems
to stop are obvious reasons. I would question an undercurrent of opinion in
America that farmers have outlived their purpose.
The current condition of old barns may reflect the same toll of debt load,
weather, time and having outlived a useful purpose.
Even in the last century, there were pretenders, as noted by one old-timer
regarding the size of a neighbor's horse barn. "Why, that rascal built a 20-team
barn and never saw the day he could field five teams!"
For more information about farming, contact your county extension agent or
visit www.uaex.edu and select Agriculture. The Cooperative
Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
June 27, 2008
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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