Unfortunately, this is exactly what has happened here in America. The small family farms are for the most part, gone. It’s only in the most rural and remote parts of our country that these farms still hang on by a thread. Agri-businesses have taken over vast tracts of land that used to be privately owned and farmed by concerned farmers. And it’s been going on here since the 1970’s. The worse places to see chewed up by ‘progress’ are the outlying areas around major urban cities. I’ve watched the farm land around Portland, Oregon systematically being destroyed by developers. Housing, industrial development and urban sprawl of shopping centers are all consuming what were rich farms producing products that only the Pacific Northwest can grow such as all manner of cane berries. I’ve lived in this area since 1987 and it hurts to see more and more land that used to be ‘you pick fields and orchards’ gone. And subsequently, the native wildlife and plants…
I'm so sorry to hear this NilaMae, it is an utter tragedy isn't it. I have so many emotions swirling through at the moment, mostly anger, but also deep sadness about all the future loss that I will witness - and the deep abiding change to the countryside I love.
I know this deeply since I’ve experienced more life than you. I’ve seen this all over this country for a long time. At one time I wanted desperately to own a small farm but it was always too expensive. So I’ve had to set for gardening on my small city lots. Just do what you can and know that it’s the best!
My mums family are farmers, and my brother worked for a sheep farmer in Derbyshire as a teenager. I don’t really let myself care about UK politics anymore, but this announcement hurt. So few people understand how hard farmers work, how much they have already survived over the last 30 years, and how little gratitude they receive. Forcing farmers to pay tax on their land is so unjust, it is like saying all businesses will be subject to inheritance tax. Mostly I just feel sad though, because so many of our small family farms have already been destroyed and taken over by big agriculture, and this announcement threatens to pull the rug from under those that have survived thus far.
I have been watching a back to back seasons of a show called, This Farmers Life which takes place in Scotland and northern Ireland. The show often has the farmers talk about how government regulations are slowly killing their farms and way of life- so sad. There is such a feeling of helplessness and betrayal. When will the madness end?!
This Farmers Life is a delightful program, such a good insight into our hard working farmers lives - and their families. It is utter madness indeed that these wonderful families may be caught up in this ill-thought through legislation.
Unfortunately, this is exactly what has happened here in America. The small family farms are for the most part, gone. It’s only in the most rural and remote parts of our country that these farms still hang on by a thread. Agri-businesses have taken over vast tracts of land that used to be privately owned and farmed by concerned farmers. And it’s been going on here since the 1970’s. The worse places to see chewed up by ‘progress’ are the outlying areas around major urban cities. I’ve watched the farm land around Portland, Oregon systematically being destroyed by developers. Housing, industrial development and urban sprawl of shopping centers are all consuming what were rich farms producing products that only the Pacific Northwest can grow such as all manner of cane berries. I’ve lived in this area since 1987 and it hurts to see more and more land that used to be ‘you pick fields and orchards’ gone. And subsequently, the native wildlife and plants…
I'm so sorry to hear this NilaMae, it is an utter tragedy isn't it. I have so many emotions swirling through at the moment, mostly anger, but also deep sadness about all the future loss that I will witness - and the deep abiding change to the countryside I love.
I know this deeply since I’ve experienced more life than you. I’ve seen this all over this country for a long time. At one time I wanted desperately to own a small farm but it was always too expensive. So I’ve had to set for gardening on my small city lots. Just do what you can and know that it’s the best!
My mums family are farmers, and my brother worked for a sheep farmer in Derbyshire as a teenager. I don’t really let myself care about UK politics anymore, but this announcement hurt. So few people understand how hard farmers work, how much they have already survived over the last 30 years, and how little gratitude they receive. Forcing farmers to pay tax on their land is so unjust, it is like saying all businesses will be subject to inheritance tax. Mostly I just feel sad though, because so many of our small family farms have already been destroyed and taken over by big agriculture, and this announcement threatens to pull the rug from under those that have survived thus far.
Urban mindset let loose in the country. Extreme Harmfulness
I have been watching a back to back seasons of a show called, This Farmers Life which takes place in Scotland and northern Ireland. The show often has the farmers talk about how government regulations are slowly killing their farms and way of life- so sad. There is such a feeling of helplessness and betrayal. When will the madness end?!
This Farmers Life is a delightful program, such a good insight into our hard working farmers lives - and their families. It is utter madness indeed that these wonderful families may be caught up in this ill-thought through legislation.