How many of you grew up on a farm?

Question

What were it's advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 1

I would never trade my early years on the farm for all the high living one could have.

The air always felt fresh and clean. We looked forward to the seasons, the light greens of early spring with the blossoms on the fruit trees, the dark green of summer who heralded the arrival of tomatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries, okra, corn, green beans, watermelon and other veggies.

I enjoyed the dog days of summer, when it was time to cut hay and put it up for the livestock to carry us thru the winter. It was hot, sticky work, but there was a sense of comeraderie. We all worked together, we laughed, and afterward, the evening meal was a time of family and community spirit, as we often helped neighbors, and they us.

We had goats, so we enjoyed their sweet, rich milk. Late January and February always brought the birthing of the kids, and it was fun to see them come into this world. I remember the awe when one nanny had 4 kids (they usually have twins). The little goats are soon running and playing, they are as friendly as puppies.

Fall brought the beautiful colors of autumn. The mapes would turn scarlet orange, the oaks red, and the poplars yellow. Always there was a variation of the colors until it looked like an artist's painting. The creek water would turn cold as ice long before the days grew cold. With most of the chores done (planting/harvesting) it was time to fish. Cool crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Halloween brought out the straw bales, the pumpkins and gourds were ready then too, we'll break out the apple cider from the harvest and mull it with cinnamon. Lots of family and friends came over to celebrate harvest end and enjoy the festivities, least of which was, yes, apple bobbing! The youngest members of family and neighbors were always fun to watch try this ! Then there was always the annual 'snipe' hunt for the little ones with flash lights as evening set in. One didn't have to worry about children being abducted, it was safe, and you knew everyone in your 'community' witch generally consisted of about a 4 - 5 square mile area outside your own land.

Winter was a time for planning, and a time for some snow fun. We anxiously looked forward to the first snow, which usually came around Thanksgiving. There was always neighbors who came around during any holiday, often with a pan of their particular 'specialty' dish or desert.

Christmas was a time when we remembered Christ. Sure, we got presents, the house was decorated with many home made arts, but we revered why we were celebrating, and we were thankful for the many blessings the year had brought us.

I think growing up on a farm taught us how to entertain ourselves, to appreciate nature, to understand that everything in this world is cyclic, to work together to achieve more, and that each idea can be useful, from the youngest to the oldest, we learned to solve problems (broken machinery, more efficient ways to do things). We learned to trust, rely and be friends, neighbors, and family.

Answer 2

I grew up on a farm. It's advantages were there was always something to do, and there weren't places to go off to. One stayed there. I guess the disadvantage was not having stores just down the street, so we went once a week to shop. But this wasn't bad, as it was a special time.

Answer 3

Growing up on a farm does have it's advantages. The wide open country is an advantage, fresh eggs, and milk. It's hard work, skimming the milk, fighting with the roosters in order to get to the eggs. When the cows get out it can be tiring because of the wide open country.It's all worth it!

Answer 4

I learned the value of hard work and that hard work pays off...
I learned how to take care of myself, only buying things I need with the money I have. There was always something to do, I was never bored. Lots of people... er... animals to talk to. Didn't opt for fastfood... always had something healthy to eat. I learned self pride and to treat others with respect and dignity (there were a fews neighorbing farmers who thought themselves better because of their skin color... made me mad even at a young age).

I don't see many disadvantages... Maybe not having a "normal" childhood... Friends spending summer at parties and bumming around the house. I couldn't go out till my chores were done. That led to some good fights between my parents and I (which I am sure is normal for all kids). I got a job in the city when I was 16 and continued to work during school and such. My parents didn't always have money to buy us nice things. We ended up eating my pet cow.

Answer 5

Me. But i don't know if i can say i grew up there because it was on the countryside and we were there from Friday evenings to Sunday evening i.e. on weekends when my parents weren't at work and we weren't in school (in the capital city).

Hired workers and employed relatives maintained the farm during weekdays when we weren't at the farm. At the time of my departure to come to Europe we had 38 heads of cattle, 63 goats, 26 sheep, 22 pigs and numerous chickens and ducks including a mule.

Advantages:
- We always had fresh but boiled (just in case) milk.

- Fresh meat.

- Manure for our vegetable garden including fresh vegetables from there.

- Extra income from our farm from selling the produce i.e. meat (mostly from pigs which breed faster and are easier to care of) and eggs.

- Company from both animals and our large family (including the paid workers).

Disadvantages:

- Alot of water consumption.

- Over grazing of the land if you let them out the fence too much, and you have to at least for the cows so they can feel good.

Answer 6

i grew up on a farm, my children are growing up on a farm. while they have never ridden in a taxi or a bus or gone to a movie they do know what it means to have faith, respect , morals. they know how to work for what they want, to give more then they take, to share, to stand in awe around a newborn lamb and never take anything for granted or as "their due". perhaps the disadvantage is that they are growing up innocent, never knowing hate, abuse, the real nastiness of how people treat other people.

Answer 7

I didn't grow up on a farm but farms surrounded me. I liked the cows and to play in the corn feild and in the grain barrel thing.

Answer 8

i did and proud of it,advantage u can drive,long break,fresh food,no white people around.........disadvantage no unemployment refund or tax pay off............ PS WE HATED WHITE PEOPLE....(JOCOB)

Answer 9

city girl here

Answer 10

I didn't but I visit one..and I really liked it...