Something that has been on my mind today.... What is your definition of a farm?
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| The lucky chickens on Martha Stewart's "farm". |
Most of the people I know snicker a little at the little
mini farms or r
anchettes that people have. The ones that say, have 2.5 acres, a horse and dog, but they call it a "ranch" or "farm". Around these parts, if you say "farm" that usually means several thousand acres of grain fields or crop land. If you say "ranch", that means several thousand acres of pasture that supports at least several hundred head of cattle.
But then, I have some cousins that have a "Ranch" that is all grain and crops and no cows. But I
know it's a ranch and always has been. (Ya'll know who you are,*wink*.) You can read about life on that Ranch at
www.montanaprairietales.com
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| This picture was taken when we were out walking in the wheat fields on a "farm". |
So my questions are: What makes a ranch a ranch and a farm a farm? If you raise a bunch of goats say, or some menagerie of critters, is it a farm? Or a ranch? Also, how big or small should said farm or ranch be to not be the snickered at,
mini farm or
ranchette? Is it based on number of acres, number of critters, or bushels produced? Or should it be based on the owners' own definition? Some of my dear blog readers are bonafide farmers and ranchers. Some of you are not. But either way, I'd love to know your thoughts on this subject! Feel free to comment on here or on Facebook. It think it could be a fun discussion!
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| This windmill is on a "ranch", West of Geraldine. |
Bye for now....
B
Ha ha, good question! But you know, we have corrals and Grandpa raised cattle. The ranch still has a brand. No point in changing the name even tho the animal part of the business is inactive at the moment :)
ReplyDeleteSo maybe when a "ranch" has a brand registered, it helps it be a "ranch" instead of a farm! :)
ReplyDelete