The Sad side of Farming

[stoneylonesome]

It's really sad to see the farms ending up like this, It's just so expensive to run them for such little if any profit. :( :( :(

http://www.bytegallery.com/data/3080/40barns3.jpg

Something really has to be done to stop the decay of the small farms

http://www.bytegallery.com/data/3080/40barns1.jpg

What's so tragic here in New England is that you are seeing more and more of this. Farming was never easy here, now it's almost impossible.

http://www.bytegallery.com/data/3080/40barns2.jpg

[RJSorensen]

Often the buildings do not have the intended use andy longer. Many store equipment and such in them but . . . you are correct, they just use them up till they fall down. It is sad but the life of the building is over for what it was created for. One would need to go back to milking by hand for the structures here to be of 'current' use.

Nice shots btw.

[thomascanty]

That's too bad, but it makes for some great photo opportunities.

[stoneylonesome]

That's too bad, but it makes for some great photo opportunities.

Sure does. I love the weathered look of the barn and the old machinery. Thanks Lonnie and RJ for the comments.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Nice shots,. there is a drive I used to take twice a year up Route 12 in Upstate NewYork,. from the turn pike north up to the Canadian Border past WaterTown and Fort Drum..

The whole of Route tweleve remains one dairy farm after another... a great palce to see farm buildings in all states of decay from barnd new to completely collapsed on there foundations.

[sparker1]

Nice series, Sandy. You're right, the small farmer is doomed if not already gone. Only large, highly mechanized farms can make it these days. Kind of like our manufacturing industry, where only the highly automated factories can make it here. Everything else goes overseas. I have no answers.

[ssim]

I really like those shots. Old buildings and farm scenes have a special place in my heart having grown up on a farm.

While driving out to the woods today we drove through a farming area where I had never been before. There were a number of old buildings, not quite so rambshackled as these ones, but I am certainly going to be making the trip out there again to shoot them.

Thanks for sharing. They are great.

Sheldon

[JMAS]

Sadly you are right Sandy.
The small farms are something that is becoming a luxury to have.
As most small business.

[stoneylonesome]

Thanks for the comments. Jaime it just seems that in my area the samll farms are disapearing faster and faster. so sad. Sheldon, what I'm trying to do is take as many photos as I can of the old farms, barns and equipment. I'm afraid it is the only way were going to preserve them. That and they are so photogenic. :) :)
Here's one more that I took from the other side of the barn. I did see some livestock, I think a horse in one part of this barn

http://www.bytegallery.com/data/3080/40barns4.jpg

[Michaelmjc]

I see more farms that are falling apart then ones that are together. You think they would try to fix them up.

Nice shot.

[stoneylonesome]

I see more farms that are falling apart then ones that are together. You think they would try to fix them up.

Nice shot.

So true, But there is such a small profit margin, if any at all, It's almost impossible to do. Takes a lot of money to restore and keep a barn together.

[RbnDave]

Sandy,

Nice series of photos. I grew up in Wisconsin and we have tons of falling down barns. they make for great photos.

My dad is also into photography and he found an interesting use for old barns. He uses the boards to make picture frames. there is actually a growing business of selling barn-board in wisconsin. There is a lot of money in it. People love having anything country in their homes. I'd rather see the barns stay intact than be turned into craft fair pieces, but if the barn has already toppled might as well have it live on as art in somebodies home.

dave

[jgbeam]

I've got a great idea! How's about we knock that old stuff down and put up some sparkling new McMansions! Sell 'em for a million apiece...for the smaller ones.

Makes me sick.. :( :( :( :evil: :evil:

Sad indeed.

Nice shots, but I wish they weren't necessary.

Jim

[stoneylonesome]

I've got a great idea! How's about we knock that old stuff down and put up some sparkling new McMansions! Sell 'em for a million apiece...for the smaller ones.

Makes me sick.. :( :( :( :evil: :evil:

Sad indeed.

Nice shots, but I wish they weren't necessary.

Jim

Ah yes! but only if it where on sweetheart mountain, have to have the view. :evil: :evil:

[jgbeam]

Ah yes! but only if it where on sweetheart mountain, have to have the view. :evil: :evil:

It's amazing how important it is (to a greedy few) to have the view of YOUR house from Sweetheart Mountain. :rolleyes:

Jim

[marie]

they are gorgeous shots Sandy
funny how much character old worn down barns have
they even stand proud while they are dying


great that you are getting the shots


http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_idea.gif
a book with pictures of the old barns would be greathttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif



http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[stoneylonesome]

Thank you Marie for the comments. We finially got a beautiful day with bright blue skys. I don't know about a book, but I'm sure going to try and photograph as many barns and farms as I can. :) :) :)

[Richard51]

Those old barns have a character all their own, don't they? They may be falling down, but they speak of many a life lived in their shadows.
Nice shots. I love old barns.
Richard