Farmer or farm land owner if you are looking for property or reading the paper, you may have noticed that farm land prices have accelerated.
Some blame this on the demand for ethanol that may have increased the commodity value. Others say it's the low value of the dollar. It has been predicted that farm land will appreciate 6 to 12 percent annually over the next three years.
All of the above have brought in buyers who usually partner with local investors to out bid local farmers.
I asked my good neighbor, Sally Smedley to help write an article or two for me and I would like to share her input for this article. The following is Sally's.
These days there is a lot of farm ground being sold, divided up into 5-acre lots and sold again. Farmers complain (including me) about losing valuable farm ground and also about those "city people" moving into the country, but wanting all the city luxuries they are accustomed to.
I understand this concern and have experienced problems from this personally. I also understand those city folks' reasons for the desire to move out and away from everything that a city is. That is exactly what I did about 30 years ago. My husband and I bought a 60-acre farm. This was before most of the farms brought much money and were divided into small lots. He was from a rural background, but I was raised in Akron. So I thought I would share some of the discoveries I have made over the years as I turned country.
Our dog did not appreciate his new found freedom. He never figured out the electric fence and spent the rest of his life mostly in the house.
In our part of Ohio you are not guaranteed a good supply of water even if you drill for it. I have never had enough to sustain a washer.
There is a lifetime to learn about raising any kind of farm animal. They take up a big chunk of your time, money and patience.
Mud! Mud! Mud!
Ticks, mites, bees, snakes, mice, warbles and mosquitoes.
Raccoons kill every last chicken in your coop. Foxes take one at a time.
Putting up hay in square bales is the hottest, hardest job I have ever done.
With town one half hour a way one way, and a plumbing job, remodeling job, auto or tractor repair job, etc., you will always have to run into town at least one more time for one more part.
No cable, sorry kids!
Dial-up Internet access-sorry dad!
Even though most of these discoveries seem to be negative, I truly love my way of living. For me it is worth all the extra challenges. Just remember that if you think you want to move out into the country, it is not going to be the same as where you came from and it isn't suppose to be.
My neighbor and friend, Sally and I are working on the farm bureau membership committee and now is the time to renew your membership or sign up as a new member.
New signs are available in the county office for the increased reward, leading to the arrest of someone stealing from a members property from $1,500 to $2,500.
Speed indicator signs now available for the fast trac tractors that travel at speeds faster than 25 mph. They can be ordered in the County Farm Bureau Office. The cost of the decal only is $5 and the cost of the decal with a metal back and mounting bracket is $10. To order call l-800-964-8184.
Ruth Mclaughlin in the information chairperson for the Muskingum County Farm Bureau. She can be reached at 740-674-4777.
