Bonnie,
Certainly I'm not implying that farming in the 21st century is going
to be a walk in the park. I'm simply saying that there were
regulations 50 years ago, - there are regulations now and there will
be new ones in the future and farmers have prevailed and survived.
I'm not sure where you farm but in New Jersey the last two
generations of farmers have learned to live with some of the fiercest
state rules and regulations in the country. Am I happy, - no, - but
there are still opportunities. As an example, - OSHA came down hard
on farmers in the 1960's. My Dad and Uncle thought these rules would
doom the farming community. Well it was not so bad after all because
OSHA had bigger fish to fry policing the big manufacturing companies,
etc. and let agriculture be. And, - think about it: We in farming are
producing the most important commodity on earth, - FOOD. When over
population and inflation cause rationing of budgets people will come
begging to us for food at any price. I don't think that is such a bad
prospect for those who stick with farming, - as long as we stick
together. My Dad taught me to "give the customer the best quality
always for a fair price." We still strive to achieve this and have
been mostly successful for 50 years.
David Barclay
Colts Neck, New Jersey
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