Farms and Boundaries

I have avoided writing this post because I do NOT want any of our friends or family to get offended!   PLEASE, friends, do not think this was written because of you.  It is a problem of numbers, and without a plan in place, without rules, I just can’t keep up this lifestyle that we love!  I have had this issue arise every single day for a while now, and it just must be addressed.  I know many small farms with differing commodities and setups, but they all have this in common.  They have all had to deal with the problem of the public perception that their personal property is a public park.  Yes, farms love people, and rely on the community, they have friends and neighbors that they like very much.  However, that community vibe gives people the wrong impression.  Unless stated in their literature, a sign, or on their website, a farm is not even open to the public, and it is definitely not a petting zoo.  The people who live & work there have a lot invested in their property, their animals, their business, and especially their time.  We have had a consistent flow of people, mostly sweet wonderful people that we know and love, showing up in our backyard… and even trying to get into our animal pen.  Many times it is friends who bring their relatives, grandchildren, or friends with them.  Let me be very clear, each individual instance, on its own, would be easy to address.  Assuming that I am not in the middle of something or that I am even home, I might could meet you, spend time with you, show you the animals, explain the rules, etc.  But, the fact that this is becoming a daily occurrence (and a serious safety and bio-security issue) means that I absolutely have to address it. 

First of all, we have bio-security issue at hand.  NO ONE is allowed to be in with our animals unless their shoes have been disinfected by ME.  There are very real respiratory diseases rampant, and the avian flu ain’t no joke.  Many years ago we have had to - I had to - slaughter ALL of our beautiful birds due to an exposure to the incurable disease MG.  Even asymptomatic birds can be carriers of diseases.  We did not have ANY birds for over a year to assure that the problem was gone.  Sorry, even if you think I am crazy, and even if you are my cousin or best friend, I will not allow you to enter.  Period.  I do not even wear shoes out with my animals that I have worn to the feed store!  Baby animals may not need visitors at that time, we may have an animal who is new and stressed, WHO KNOWS.  It’s just not okay to assume that it is open for the public, because it simply is not.  You can't even assume that you are standing in a "safe" area, as we us temporary fencing and rotate animals to different grass.  If my pig dies due to a bio-security breach, or a fence left open, I will not have her to use in teaching my classes.  Emotion issues aside, my budget has virtually NO wiggle room.  Everything that we have is a big deal to me, and I work hard to keep everyone happy and healthy.  (I urge you to look up bio-security issues in your area and learn more about what your local farms must protect their animals against! This is not paranoia, but good, sound farm principles.)

Next point, there is a safety issue.  You do not know what I have going on in my back yard.  I promise.  I move fences, I have piles of junk, I have traps and nails and electricity and all kinds of other things going on. I have a cat that, with NO provocation, will run at you, attack you, and draw blood.  A goat or horse can easily break your toe with its hoof.  Momma animals will protect their young.  During my classes, I plan, I make arrangements, and I am there, prepared.  But on a Thursday morning, when I am walking around in my pajama pants (if you're lucky), feeding my animals, and teaching my children their grammar lesson on the trampoline, I do not need to think about someone showing up at my back fence, walking near stacked timbers, or coming too close to sharp metal.  Not only could I be busy, I could be sick.  I could have just had surgery and cannot walk about and give a tour… or even feel like there being a half-dozen people wandering around my property at that time.  I could be camped out with a shotgun, waiting for some pest to show up, which brings me to my next point...

 Another safety issue is that, well, farms are in the country.  It’s not a stereotype.  We really do protect our property out here.  Really.  WE ALL DO.  I was raised to know that even our neighbors might shoot us if we decided to tromp through their fields without asking.  If you stop by and wander the yard and we are not home, someone will either confront you (armed or not) or call the cops on you, ‘cause seriously, that’s how things work.  I am thankful for this, and you need to realize this is the case on ANY private property; farms are not a special case.

Beyond safety for people and animals, there is a personal respect issue.  I could very well be wandering around my backyard in my underwear.  Why?  Because I can.  My children can.  If personal privacy was not an issue for us, we would live somewhere else.  If you are out my bathroom window while I am taking a SHOWER (this happened more than once this MONTH), I promise that I do not take this lightly, even if you are someone we know very well.   It’s just not okay.  Even if farmers did not live right at their farms, would you open a restaurant’s doors after hours, jump in the kitchen, and fix yourself an omelet?   Nope.  Not even if the owner was your friend or uncle. In our case, we are 'crashing' on my parents' property while we build our house, which means that people aren't just walking around our yard, they are wandering around my parents' property.  They live next door and do not know why you are here or what you are up to!  It's just not cool.

Lastly, unless a “farm” is strictly a hobby farm (pets) run by extremely social and financially secure retirees who love to chat it up, no farm has time to accommodate an impromptu tour.  No, we are not a big farm by any stretch, and no, this is not my sole income.  It barely pays for the animals to eat.  But, I raise four children, I educate my children, I run errands, I clean, I tend to the animals, I get my kids to a billion activities, and I have to find a way to run our educational program and sell farm goods in order for ME to make the entire farm and schooling support itself.  I promise you, even if I love you to death and would love to shoot the breeze, if you show up unannounced; I have very little time to spend with you.   

My husband spends every waking moment that he is not at his full time job (which is over an hour away) building our future home with his hands.  I do not have him on weekends, nor do I have him most weekday evenings.  Until our house is completed, I am on my own with the shuttling and housework and lots of kids and errands and farm stuff.  I put my own windshield wipers on the car.  I cut my grass.  I wear a lot of hats at this moment in time.  But, my situation is not unique.  Unless a farm is literally open to the public for tours and animal petting, I guarantee you that those farmers are busy beyond imagination.  If you do show up at a friend’s farm and expect to spend time with the animals, it really should only be with a shovel in your hands and the willingness to muck out a coop, and only with a phone call beforehand, asking if it is a convenient time. 

 In the future, I may have days set aside for visits and fun, but they will be specified ahead of time.  Our agriculture education classes are a great way to get kids time with the animals, and they help to financially keep our situation running.  I will try to include non-homeschool workshops in the future so that more children in our community can get that hands-on experience!  Until then, please contact me ahead of time and ask if there is a good time to come out.  Please also know that, although you are my friend, or even my family, there are a lot of you sweet people who have nothing but wonderful supportive intentions, and this is becoming a DAILY situation for us.  Even if you call and ask me if you can bring your kids or your neighbor’s kids over, I may just say ‘no’.  It is not because I am mean or that I do not like people!   I am a busy momma, and I am trying my best to survive!  Please know that, over the years, this is a situation that many, if not all, of my farm friends have brought up.  I have heard so many of these stories from them.  Be kind and understanding…. they are all just trying their best, too.