It's a shame. I wonder if you could hire some help. It's a long shot trying to get kids to work these days though. Milk is going down the tank at 16.50. It may be time to get out anyway though cause it might be 12 a hundred soon. Won't be long it will hardly cover cost so it might have happened anyway. I don't know Quads, Hate to see it but the family farm does not work well unless you get into "free range" like raw milk if ya don't go to jail over it like the Pensylvania farmer a while back. Small farms need the small farm niche. Free range eggs, milk, chicken and pigs. A farmer down the road does well doing grass fed beef. You need a certain customer like health nut types. In other words if ya still got the energy try some stuff, but change is something you can't stop. Just have to keep going.
My farming days are quickly coming to an end..........a couple pics.
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It's time to give up the farm. Even now, milking everyday is making my bad knee go crazy. I hope to hear something by the end of the week about what is happening with the cows. As much as I love the cows, I want to get it over with as soon as possible. I don't want to go on milking indefinitely, especially without knowing. Some lady I have never met before came down to the barn last night and said she made herself in charge of the estate. A cousin on his mom's side, I think. Another woman that isn't even related came and took his mail out the mailbox yesterday and that was a topic of heated discussion with some of the people that were at the farm last night. The guy that claimed he was my cousin's adopted son couldn't find any papers to prove it and so far it doesn't look like there is going to be a will found. It looks like it is going to come down to a showdown between the first cousins. None of it matters to me, I don't care and I don't really want anything from the old farm, I just want the cows taken care of soon. Breaks my heart........ Since my cousin took over ownership of the farm, I farmed for him full-time for almost 15 years, and helped him in my spare time for many years before that, and in all that time I have gotten attached to the herd. Money and possessions don't mean much to me, the others can toil over that all they want........
What is really sad about this whole situation you are in, if you ask me, is the fact that you ARE the person most deserving of this estate because of your selflessness .....you have compassion for the farm and for the animals there, whereas the others who appointed themselves to be in charge sound to be interested in the material things. Its heartbreaking and I do feel for you. Hang in there buddy.....
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
quads said:
It seems that sometimes it takes a death to see the true color of a person's soul . . . some people show the love, respect and admiration whereas others only see material gain.
Hang in there Quads.
Quads take this time to line up a buyer for the cows in your area. Someone you know will take good care of them. They will only be a nuisance to whomever has fiduciary responsibilities. Who knows, you may be asked to leave immediately. If that happens the cows will be an after thought. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.quads said:
Maybe they will ask you to stay on to manage the place
Quads, I don't mean to dig in your buisness. I do think you should take an interest in the land and such. The reason is some will sell the farm faster than you can slap a tick with no regard of what the owners interest would be. It's yours more than anyones. I say this cause I seen the same. My wife has a " Tunta Trudel" and is not related. She has known the family for 70 years. A few neighbors tried to steal the will by getting this old lady to " just sign here" . She did. We got it back with a lawyer. Anyway, sadly I think you should manage the land anyway for your late cousins interest. Not that it's my buisness. Hope I didn't stir the pot.
Got Wood
Minister of Fire
Awesome pictures, especially that first one with the sunset and the cows.
Good luck getting this all sorted out, sounds like a messy situation. Those hours you spend out processing wood will certainly be great stress relief!
Good luck getting this all sorted out, sounds like a messy situation. Those hours you spend out processing wood will certainly be great stress relief!
corey21
Minister of Fire
mrjohneel
Feeling the Heat
Thanks again everyone! The farm goes all the way back to my great-grandfather. Since it was my cousin that owned the farm now, and he had no immediate family and so far no will has been found, they will just go down through the next of kin. His closest next of kin are first cousins. I am a first cousin once removed, so I don't know if that counts for anything. My dad was his first cousin, but dad has been gone for almost 30 years now. There are something like 15 or 20 first cousins. It's going to be a big fight, I can feel it, and I am going to stay out of it as much as I possibly can.
Regardless, I was trying to slowly retire from the farm anyway, except for the cows. So I guess now is the time to give it up. Either way the cows are going to be sold, very soon. Then the whole farm will be sold, and then my little shack that I live in will be surrounded by potatoes and sand.
Regardless, I was trying to slowly retire from the farm anyway, except for the cows. So I guess now is the time to give it up. Either way the cows are going to be sold, very soon. Then the whole farm will be sold, and then my little shack that I live in will be surrounded by potatoes and sand.
You show class and dignity, Quads. They are, if you ask me, the ultimate qualities to have, and shows the man you are. God Bless you bud, for being the man in the whole situation. I have a feeling that good things will come your way, in light of the bad things that you are dealing with now. Hang in there.......quads said:
Wow, Quads. My condolences. I hope that things fall into place. Family in-fighting is not pretty.
Sorry for your loss Quads! We are currently in the process of selling 80 acres that has been in the family since 1868! I told my 4 sisters that we would sell the farm over my dead body, Well obviously I must be dead! I had and stiill have hard times over seeing it go but I do know that it is what has to be done. Great memories from when my Great Grandparents and then Grandparents lived there.
Take Care!
Gary
Take Care!
Gary
Flatbedford
Minister of Fire
Dairyman
Minister of Fire
These situations can bring out the worst in people, it will make you sick. My grandfather's been gone for 13 years and his estate still isn't settled and that's with a will and trust. It's just plain sad.
Take care of those ladies, they deserve nothing less than the best. And try to enjoy your last few days with them. My favorite cow was from Wisconsin, you guys raise them right.
Take care of those ladies, they deserve nothing less than the best. And try to enjoy your last few days with them. My favorite cow was from Wisconsin, you guys raise them right.
bogydave
Minister of Fire
woodchip
Minister of Fire
Sad news, and condolences to you for the loss of your cousin.
In a world where so many things change so quickly, it's unbelievably reassuring to have something familiar like a family farm to live in.
Despite the uncertainties, what will be will be, and I hope it will resolve itself for the best for all of you, including the cows.....
In a world where so many things change so quickly, it's unbelievably reassuring to have something familiar like a family farm to live in.
Despite the uncertainties, what will be will be, and I hope it will resolve itself for the best for all of you, including the cows.....
davmor
Member
Sorry for your loss Quads. I grew up on a farm too, miss it to this day. Best of luck with everything else.
Quads - I've always enjoyed the pics you post! Very sorry for you loss and hope that the situation is resolved quickly for your sake.
Best Regards,
timfromohio
Best Regards,
timfromohio
Thanks! Still no will has been found. Funeral arrangements have been made by a couple of the first cousins. It's amazing how many people are showing up to claim the farm, but yet none of them are even helping me milk the cows, nor have they ever helped. A kid left me a note in the milkhouse this morning 'thanking me for milking their cows for them', and stating that 'we really appreciate it'. I'm still not sure who this 'we' is that he is talking about, and he is some very distant relative that has never had anything to do with the farm, much more distantly related than I am. HAHA! Whatever. I hope they all enjoy their fight because I am not going to join in.
Some of it, yes. The main 80 acres that I have been cutting on lately is safe though, for now. It does not belong to my cousin that owned the dairy farm. But everything else did, roughly 500 acres. My trail out to the 80 acres from my house is part of the dairy farm though, so my easy access to it is in jeopardy.Flatbedford said:
I assume the cows are going to be sold very soon. When the cows are gone, then I won't be doing anything for the farm anymore. Yes, it could take years to settle everything. The livestock will have to be taken care of quickly though, no one else in the family will milk them, and I'm worn out........HAHA!
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