He agrees to show me some of his equipment---I follow him to his storage shed.
He owns two of these giant harvesters---cost about $250,000 each
All seems in tip top condition---said he likes it that way.
Assorted attachments for assorted crops. He raises corn, soybeans, rice, cotton
He and his Son and an occasional helper farm an incredible 5000 acres.
In my childhood--that acreage would require about 120 families or about 500 people.
He sits down for an in depth interview and educates me about modern farming.
Here's a sampling of what I learned:
1. CHEAP FOOD IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CIVILIZATION.
2. TECHNOLOGY MAKES CHEAP FOOD POSSIBLE. For example:
a. Land is laser sculpted for optimal water distribution and drainage
b. Conservation tillage minimizes cost of working the land.
c. GPS technology guides his tractors--no steering needed.
d. Equipment monitored by satellite at factory--telephone call alerts owner if--for example a water, fuel or oil level is low.
e. Weed control is done chemically--no expensive hand labor required.
f. Modern harvesters are fast and efficient--can quickly gather the crop---often in a single day--avoiding rain damage.
g. A small number of people, with technology, can produce
enough food for a vast population.
3. INSECT CONTROL: is COLLECTIVELY and REGIONALLY MANAGED scientifically---every farmer pays a fee and presto the cotton boll weevil is defeated by a process too clever to detail here.4. CROP FINANCING AND INSURING are highly developed industries that make it possible for a farmer to "go big" and gain the economy of scale.
5. GOVERNMENT STABILIZATION PROGRAMS ARE A GOOD AND NECESSARY INTERVENTION TO PREVENT SPECULATIVE BOOMS AND BUSTS.
6.HI-TECH MODERN FARMING HAS ---SURPRISINGLY---BROUGHT BACK THE FAMILY FARM. A single family can do it.
7. FARMING IS STILL SOMETHING OF AN ART---REQUIRING SHREWD JUDGMENTS AND SOMETIMES GUESSES----WHEN TO SELL etc. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO SUCCEED IF YOU DO NOT LOVE GROWING THINGS.
8. PATENT OWNERSHIP OF "ENGINEERED SEED" PUTS ENORMOUS POWER AND PROFITS INTO COMPANIES LIKE MONSANTO.
RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: I'm pleased to tell you that this likable farmer is Charles Vining III my Nephew who started with almost nothing but a great love of farming and built his empire to its current status. Part of his philosophy is "every row counts" and "take pride in your crop". If from the air he spots an "ugly" area--he will fix it. He knows the dangers of monoculture and is concerned that Monsanto is gaining control of the world's food supply. I don't know how to react to all that I've learned---except to develop a fresh appreciation for the real foundation of civilization---cheap food---and for those who provide it.
