nfralick
Wed, 05/29/2024 - 15:47
Edited Text
interview;Jim Skelton
12 Feb 79
operates a 400 acre farm.Rents an additional 275 acres.A long time
dairy farmer,he has sold his herd and now is experimenting with
75-80 head of beef cattle.They take only a fraction of care per
day needed by milk cows.To feed them he raises hay,straw,and corn.
Also oats.The rising cost of gas has caused him to close the dairy
store he operated for 18 years.He may convert it to a meat store.
Additional cash crops include cabbage.Plans to plant 16 acres this
spring.
sees little prospect of new dairy farms in area.Looks to no new crops.
Some prospects for raising beans on suitable soil.Sees principle impact
of mill as raising value of farmers* land.
talks of changing role of farm wife.Keeps records and books.Answers
phone.Runs erands for parts etc.Says family farm will survive only if
there are son(s) willing to sacrifice.Harder and harder to interest
boys today.
Questions
1. How does township form of government help the farmer (4 Of 5 members
locally are farmers)
2. What is future of family farm--especially for sons/daughters of to
day’s farmer
Skelton
1. Jim Skelton,together with his sons,Terry and Brian,operates
a 400 plus acre farm just soth of Edinboro on Rt.99.This part
icular view shovCthe house which the Skelton's built 34 years
ago together with the barns,constructed 18 years ago,and what
was a dairy store (19 yrs old) until this past year when Jim
s61d off his# 2. He has replaced them with 75-80 head of beef cattle,which he
says take only a fraction of the care
that dairy cattle
demand.
3. However,he is no gentleman of leisure<#OW#tt«#iift<#M## having
planted this spring 120 acres of corn and 25 acres of cabbage.
Here he is vleaning out a fertilizer spreader
4. and here repairing with his son Terry a 4 row com planter.
5. Prior to planting the corn he and Terry,together with the «
latter's ^og,Rady,were readying the doil with a cultimulcher
6. and in this particular picture we see Terry replanting a fledId
with a 2 row planter.
7. that show Jim,his son,and neighbor children planting cabbage
8. A job that the youngsters welcome
9. but don't always enjoy.
Id^en experiment on the Skelton's part invdftves planting of some
6,000 strawbwrry plants.Here is Mrs.Skelton
in the
act of separating the plants.Personally she says she separated
over #2,000.Oh to be a farmer's wife in summer time.
12 Feb 79
operates a 400 acre farm.Rents an additional 275 acres.A long time
dairy farmer,he has sold his herd and now is experimenting with
75-80 head of beef cattle.They take only a fraction of care per
day needed by milk cows.To feed them he raises hay,straw,and corn.
Also oats.The rising cost of gas has caused him to close the dairy
store he operated for 18 years.He may convert it to a meat store.
Additional cash crops include cabbage.Plans to plant 16 acres this
spring.
sees little prospect of new dairy farms in area.Looks to no new crops.
Some prospects for raising beans on suitable soil.Sees principle impact
of mill as raising value of farmers* land.
talks of changing role of farm wife.Keeps records and books.Answers
phone.Runs erands for parts etc.Says family farm will survive only if
there are son(s) willing to sacrifice.Harder and harder to interest
boys today.
Questions
1. How does township form of government help the farmer (4 Of 5 members
locally are farmers)
2. What is future of family farm--especially for sons/daughters of to
day’s farmer
Skelton
1. Jim Skelton,together with his sons,Terry and Brian,operates
a 400 plus acre farm just soth of Edinboro on Rt.99.This part
icular view shovCthe house which the Skelton's built 34 years
ago together with the barns,constructed 18 years ago,and what
was a dairy store (19 yrs old) until this past year when Jim
s61d off his# 2. He has replaced them with 75-80 head of beef cattle,which he
says take only a fraction of the care
that dairy cattle
demand.
3. However,he is no gentleman of leisure<#OW#tt«#iift<#M## having
planted this spring 120 acres of corn and 25 acres of cabbage.
Here he is vleaning out a fertilizer spreader
4. and here repairing with his son Terry a 4 row com planter.
5. Prior to planting the corn he and Terry,together with the «
latter's ^og,Rady,were readying the doil with a cultimulcher
6. and in this particular picture we see Terry replanting a fledId
with a 2 row planter.
7. that show Jim,his son,and neighbor children planting cabbage
8. A job that the youngsters welcome
9. but don't always enjoy.
Id^en experiment on the Skelton's part invdftves planting of some
6,000 strawbwrry plants.Here is Mrs.Skelton
in the
act of separating the plants.Personally she says she separated
over #2,000.Oh to be a farmer's wife in summer time.