To the Editor,
How have farms changed? Fifty years ago most were small compared to today.
Most were 160 acres, like my family and they raised seven children; across the road four children were raised on 80 acres.
In 1996 an Iowan wrote a book entitled “One Thousand Acres.” Peanuts to some of today’s farms. Throughout my life I have seen farmers compete for the biggest tractor or combine or most acres. I think they have forgotten the difference between need and greed.
They are certainly not alone. It is happening everywhere around the country or world in all areas of living.
But now comes my big worry; what about 50 years from now? Two/thirds of farmers (in Iowa at least) are 65 years of age or older. I have noticed when these farms come up for sale, the near-by farmers buy them up. The result is fewer farms in the countryside and towns getting smaller or fading away. You have all seen this in your lifetimes.
With ethanol plants and CAFOs being part of the problem, it is time to think again.
Again, I ask, in 50 years will we be like Czarist Russia, with a few landowners and serfs doing all the work. I don’t know, but I worry a lot, and so should you.
Harvey Benson
Harmony, Minn.
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