The farmer's gotten too old or there's no money in small-time farming any more. A large christmas tree contracting company come along and makes him an offer because he has enough acreage to make the deal work. They come in, plant the trees, oversee the growth period, harvest the trees when they mature. All kind of contracts exist but a common one provides some income to the farmer during the growth period ( typically 4 to 5 years ) but the bulk of his money comes when the trees are harvested and sold. His old barn is not needed and steady decline will take it one day.
Best in download.
I’ve often wondered, what do they do with the stumps? Very nice.
NMGal wrote:
I’ve often wondered, what do they do with the stumps? Very nice.
Hi, Barbara.
That's a good question. They don't do anything with the old stumps. They will rot away in a couple of years.
Tom
luvmypets
Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
Nice photo of that barn!! So sad when structures/buildings/houses are left to time and the elements.
Dodie
lukevaliant wrote:
a tad darker?
I'm not sure what you mean but I appreciate you stopping by.
Tom
luvmypets wrote:
Nice photo of that barn!! So sad when structures/buildings/houses are left to time and the elements.
Dodie
Hi, Dodie.
Most of the old stuff you mention will be gone in another generation or two, particularly the barns and other ancillary buildings. Barns, outside of those needed by really big operations, don't have much of a role to play in rural areas these days. This fact is what drives me to record as much of that scene as I can.
oldpsych wrote:
Really nice work.
Thanks, Bruce.
My comments are directed to the situations prevelent mostly throughout the Appalachians. Big barns and larger operations were seldom part of the picture. Very often, what farming a family did was limited to a small acreage situation and what was cultivated was limited to the needs of just that family. The tobacco industry at one time was the closest thing that area had to what would be termed as " big time".
I'm not too familiar with farming in areas like the " bread basket " of America or anywhere else where the terrain, climate, and other factors are conducive to large operations. My views are somewhat myopic, limited to what I see as I travel through the Blue Ridge, Smoky, and Appalachian mountain ranges. I tend to focus on the least advantaged sections. The picture there can be harsh and ugly.
It's a lovely old barn and could still be useful for many years to come - with perhaps a little TLC. A fellow in my home area did the Christmas tree thing for awhile. He's not doing it anymore. I guess it wasn't as profitable as he expected.
Nice find, well captured.
Excellent barn photo, Tom, and to me the exposure looks just right. And, and all-to familiar story
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