Thursday, April 29, 2010

Emotions

There is something about animals that raises emotions in us all. Be it a goldfish swimming around in a bowl or a cow out in a large pasture, there is a connection. Unfortunately, that connection isn't what it used to be. The American public is only two maybe three generations off the farm. Food now comes from a grocery store not a farm or ranch. How did we become so disjointed and urbanized?

I believe mechanization of agriculture started the downhill slide. There was less workers needed on the farm to accomplish the same tasks. Factories in cities offered a haven for workers who were replaced by tractors, combines, and mechanical pickers.

People no longer harvested their own meat. It was bought at the grocery store or from the corner butcher. No emotions needed there. They didn't have to make sure this animal was fed, watered, or consider it's health to ensure a wholesome, nutritious, product was on the table.

What really bothers me about the whole situation is the same people who do not provide the basic comforts of life for animals or make their living from the land want to tell farmers and ranchers how to do their job. I do not go to the Ford plant and tell engineers how to make the next vehicle just because I drive a Ford pickup. I am not qualified nor do I have the experience to make such an assumption.

So why do we have ballot measures dictating how to raise animals?

11 comments:

  1. Great blog so far Missy...
    It is sad that we on whole have gotten away from this lifestyle. You want to teach a kid (who later will influence the laws) responsibility, hard work, the value of the dollar and respect...give him or her an animal to raise. More people need to understand where their food comes from....and the cost to get it there. Some kids nowdays don't even know how to budget!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, welcome to blog land! Found ya via Linda over at Just Another Day on the Prairie. It amazes me how people have gotten so far away from farming/ranching. The looks I get with I say I raise cattle are astonishing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi ! I came over from Lindas. I was born and raised on a farm..we are SOL without the farmers..but some people just don't get it. Perhaps your is the voice that will make a difference:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Couldn't agree with you more. As a past 4-H leader and mom, I have aways felt privileged to be apart of teachin' young people about raising healthy livestock/food products. We've had Farm City Days where city school kids come visit and see our projects ..some never have set eyes on any other animal other than a dog and have no idea that these animals produce their food.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post! Found you via Linda at Just Another Day on the Prairie. I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Same here! Welcome to blogging. Linda sure found a good one! Will be back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW! Felt like you took my thoughts straight out of my head! Always refreshing and a little less scary to know there are like minded folks still out there. ATB

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you all for your wonderful comments.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I clicked on your post for the first time tonight and I like what I read Missy. I plan on being back here. (Thank You Linda P.!) I heard just this past week that a mere 3% of the US population are farmers. The God given abilities that these men and women of the soil have are not only feeding us well, but a lot of the world too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great post and so very true.....it's amazing how many kids and even some adults don't have a clue where their food comes from or at the very least the work and politics it takes to get it from the farm/ranch to the table.

    ReplyDelete