I guess we ain't that kind of farmer.

[WoodChuckDad]

Some data on farm family labor from the USDA at USDA ERS - Family Farming in the United States <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=468900"/> Steve

That is a great link. I had no idea so much agriculture was still family farm.

 

[bjr]

I've a issue that bugs me. It's kinda along the same lines as what I've read on this thread.
In my rural neighborhood there is a lot of unused and unkepted land. These are developed one acre lots (potable and irrigation water and electricity. This is good sandy loam soil with very little rocks. The people that actually own the property rent it out and those people just use it for "More Parking". I mean a lot of SUV's, Motor Homes, camp trailers. One of these homes 1000 sqft place with maybe three small bedroom have 10 separate renters. My issue is there seems to be NO appreciation for the soil or even to be a good neighbor and keep the places neat and kept. I work a day job and come home and spray and pull weeds and fix fence and appreciate what I have. But, my neighbors idea of upkeep is have the car fully washed and waxed ready for the next weekend road trip. I guess the area real estate is too cheap if it's only purpose is for "More Parking". bjr

 

[xring]

Here is a link that may explain how some of this got started an a new classification of people was created. Add welfare unemployment and other social services and it got us to where we are.

The Invention of the Teenager [ushistory.org]

I on the other hand had a father running a part time ( every time except my school or my Dad's job) Cattle operation. I learned an awful lot from that.

 

[MF283]

Here is a link that may explain how some of this got started an a new classification of people was created. Add welfare unemployment and other social services and it got us to where we are.

The Invention of the Teenager [ushistory.org]

I on the other hand had a father running a part time ( every time but except my school or my Dad's job) Cattle operation. I leaned an awful lot from that,

So, it's my parent's fault that i had to pay for my own cars & motorcycles & work to keep them going. Thanks mom/dad, ya'll were the best & i miss ya'll.

Ronnie

 

[coobie]

I also grew up on a farm 1,000 acres between my grand parents and folks.Raised potatoes,onions and corn.When I graduated from school I wanted to be a tool and die maker at one of the big three auto makers.My class mates thought I was crazy.As it ended up I started work for the local power company in the mail room at age 18.Went into meter reading,tree trimming and then electric lineman.My company put me threw electric lineman's school a 4 year program.Best choice of my life.I guess if that makes me a grunt I am dang proud of it.

 

[coobie]

I agree......dead weight in both sectors but in my experience......there are significantly more in the public sector because it is so hard to fire them. Most are union......that's part of the problem as well but that opens up a another can of worms.

Not all of use union workers are slugs.I worked as a electric lineman for many years,worked my tail off day and night in the most crappy weather conditions one only could imagine not complaining because I knew thats what I signed up for.Always enjoyed when the NON-union managers showed up in their heated and air conditioned trucks and asked if would could pickup the pace a little faster.IMHO you have LAZY slugs on both side of the fence Union & Non-union.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

You're right. People are people. My biggest complaint in the public sector...and I know the same thing happens in the private sector...are those who get, and retain their jobs, through their political connections. I have seen some of the most incompetent individuals promoted to supervisory/management jobs because they had their connections...not to mention the cute, promiscuous but otherwise unqualified bimbo that gets that $80,000 a year job.

It did give me some satisfaction to fire the EEOC poster child for falsifying travel claims.

 

[sld]

Lots of dead weight in the private sector too. The trend I have seen over the last several years is incompetent and unqualified management.

It used to be you had to master the job you had before you moved up to the next one. Now they will put just about anyone in a manager's spot if you are a smooth talker and know the right buzz words. The older I get the more I see the corporate world as a joke. At best, it's barely more efficient than government.