A Life Rooted in Simplicity and Sustainability
My dad was born in 1923 in my family’s farmhouse in Pasco County, Florida. He was the second youngest of 10 children. At the time, the house had no electricity and no running water and wouldn’t have either until the late 1940s.
The Self-Sufficient Farm
Feeding the Family
My grandpa and grandma grew virtually everything the family ate. They had cattle, hogs, and goats on open range and grew various crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, and vegetables, along with a citrus grove. Monthly wagon rides to town were an opportunity to sell a few crops, trade eggs, and purchase items like coffee, flour, and other supplies to last the month.
Open Range Livestock Management
In those days, Florida was still an open-range state. Livestock was fenced out, not fenced in, meaning any crop fields or yards someone did not want grazed or rooted up had to be fenced. My grandpa had several hundred head of cattle, hogs, and goats in the open range, while Grandma maintained a flock of chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
Resourcefulness in Action
Daily Practices for Sustainability
Every evening my grandpa would light a ‘smudge,’ or a small smoky fire, around which some of his cattle would often lie to help ward off flies and mosquitoes. He always kept at least one milk cow, penning her calf to ensure she returned for regular milkings. He fed some grain to his goats and penned them at night to protect against predators.
Circular Farming Practices
Manure from the livestock provided a crucial resource for Florida’s sandy soils. Grandpa used it to fertilize his crops and grove, while also planting soil-enriching crops like cow peas, velvet beans, chuffa, and peanuts. Poultry helped by removing insects from vegetable plantings. Grandpa understood the symbiotic relationship between animals and crops, a practice deeply rooted in sustainability.
The Evolution of Agriculture
Specialization and Technology
As agriculture modernized in the 20th century, the small family farm gave way to larger operations specializing in one or two crops or enterprises. Research and technology enabled farmers to produce food more efficiently, consistently increasing yields to meet the needs of a growing global population.
Modern Farming
Advances in the Dairy Industry
My uncle’s dairy operation, with a few hundred lactating cows, reflects a stark contrast to modern dairies in Florida, which now milk no less than 5,000 cows. These animals produce significantly more milk than their ancestors, thanks to advancements in breeding, nutrition, and management.
Full-Circle Efficiency
Modern dairies house cows in free-stall barns, allowing them to move, eat, and rest at will. Waste solids are used to fertilize fields, water is recycled for irrigation, and some dairies capture methane to generate electricity. This full-circle approach ensures nothing goes to waste.
Honoring the Past While Embracing the Future
Whenever you enjoy a glass of cold milk, or a biscuit, or a salad, or a hamburger, remember the modern farmer and rancher works hard to ensure you are eating the highest-quality, safest food possible. Just like my grandpa understood the interconnectivity of land, animals, and crops, today’s farmers strive to preserve their lands for future generations.
