Farmers and Farmlife
By: Shannon Marquis
Introduction
Did you ever wonder what it wonder what it would be like to be a farmer in colonial days and even farm life? The first topic, that I am going to be talking about is the livestock that the farmers had in colonial days. The second, colonial days topic that I am going to be talking about is the market place. The last topic, I am going to be talking about is farmers and their responsibilities in colonial days. If you did ever wonder what it would be like to be a farmer in colonial days and even what it would be like to live on a farm, I recommend you should read on.
Livestock
These are some of the livestock that the people in colonial days.
Market Place
This is what the market place looked like in colonial days.
Responsibilities of the Farmers
This is what feeding the cows looks like in colonial days.
The Livestock That Farmers Had
In colonial times, the farmers had many animals and different farms had different kinds of livestock. Some people in colonial days raised rabbits, chickens, or other small animals. The main animals that farmers raised were cattle, hogs, poultry, sheep, and horses. These animals were sometimes used for food, meat, butter, cheese, eggs, and milk. These are all good soures of protein. Some animals were not as common at farms such as donkeys, goats, mules, and rabbits. Some countries had different animals such as llamas, reindeer, water buffalo, and yaks. The horns and hoves of the livestock were used to make buttons, combs, glue, and knives. Livestock also provides by-products like: fur, hair, leather, wool that is used for blankets, brushes,clothing, and shoes. Feathers from poultry were used to make bedding, and insulated clothing for the people that lived in colonial. Farming was thousands of years ago, people had to start domesticating and raising all different kinds of livestock. This created a source of food and power so they could stay in one place. Animal fat was used to make livestock feed,shortening, and soap. Glands and organs were also used to make insulin. Livestock body waste was used for fertilizer and we still use it to day. As you can see, farmers in colonial times raised many different types of animals such as cattle, sheep, and horses. The livestock was used in many different ways like food, medicine, clothing, and fertilizer to grow better crops.
The Market Place
Did know some farmers sell beef, cattle, hogs, and sheep at auction market? In colonial days in order to be able to stay in one place farmers had to sell things for money. Some farmers market products directly to local urban or suburban people that are willing to pay a higher price for locally produced goods. Some of the farmers are even able to produce goods for other or high-demand markets like organic foods and are able to charge a higher price too. To eliminate market risks farmers do contract farming. This is when a farmer signs a contract with a food-processing or food-distributor firm who agrees to pay a certain price for a specific amount of the product. Most farmers sell commodities that is an unprocessed good such as milk or grain that is easily bought in large amounts sold around the world. Sometimes farmers sell their products to food-processing companies, and to stores with customers. Some farmers belong to marketing cooperatives that find the best market to sell their products at the best price. Another type of market is community-supported agriculture that is when people pay far a seasons worth of goods before they are harvested. This gives the farmers an income before the harvest so they can purchase seeds and food for animals. Farmers have many ways to sell and make money from their livestock and goods. As you can see, farmers look at different markets to see which one will give then the greatest out come.
Farmers and Their Responsibilities
Farmers in colonial days had many responsibilities such as cleaning the animals stalls and making sure their animals have food and water. Farmers that have livestock must provide their livestock with daily care like feeding and cleaning their animals. The farmers must buy new animals or pick animals to replace livestock that have been sold at the marketplace. Farmers also have to provide food and shelter for their livestock and make sure all of their animals are healthy. There are many different kinds of farms and the farmers care for different types of animals. Certain animals require different care and food depending on the market they are going to be sold on. One of the farmer's responsibility is farm management which is to use their resources in the most efficient way to get the highest profits. Farm management also includes selecting a product and how they will produce the product for the most money. In addition, the farmers have to protect their water and soil resources. They also have to find the best market to sell their product on. The farmers in colonial days had to get up early and sweep the floors, feed the chickens and other animals, milk the cows, water the horses, gather eggs from the hens, pick berries and run errands. As you can see, the farmers have many responsibilities. These are most of the farmer's responsibilities and what they had to do daily.
Conclusion
As you can see, farmers and farm life in colonial days is a very interesting topic. Farmers had to sells items to provide their families with money. As shown, the livestock that farmers had was a surprising topic. The main types of animals are cows, hogs, poultry, sheep, and horses. The market place is a topic that most people don't know about. Some farmers sell their products for money on the market place. Farmers are very busy people in colonial days. The farmers had to get up early and do their morning chores. Farmers and farm life is very interesting as you can see. Most farmers are busy people especially in colonial times. The farmers also have many responsibilities like caring for their animals.
Glossary
Commodities - items that are sold for money. (Merchandise)
Contract farming - agricultural production carried out according to agreement between a buyer and farmers.
Livestock - domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities.
Marketing cooperatives - an organization owned and operated by a group of farmers who produce simular products.
Sources
Books:
Kalman, Bobbie. Colonial Life New York: Crabtree Pub. co. 1992
Kalman, Bobbie. Colonial Life New York: Crabtree Pub. co. 1992
Online:
Carlson, John. "livestock" Worldbook Student 2016 4 March, web
Navarro, Maria. "Farm and Farming" Worldbook Student 2016 26 February, Web
All About The Author
My name is Shannon Marquis. I go to James W. Parker Middle School in Edinboro Pennsylvania. My hobbies are playing outside, hanging out with my friends, and snowmobiling in the winter.