If An Old Barn Could Talk

By Robert Seay, U of A Division of Agriculture

06-26-2008

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - I can’t recall the number of times I’ve heard the statement, “If this old barn could talk, what a story it could tell.” The stories could involve unsolved mysteries or serve to enlighten us about the ambitions or broken dreams of the men and women who spent so much of their life beneath its roof.

In traveling rural America, barns of all shapes, sizes and state of disrepair can be seen. To earlier generations, the barn stood as a symbol, which spoke volumes about the family who operated the farm. It represented pride and prosperity, while also hinting of the experience and education of those who made plans and fulfilled promises beneath its roof.

Inside a barn, the fragrance of fresh cured hay mingled with that of animals and equipment. The barn was used for storage, to stable, doctor and market animals, grain, milk and other produce. Terms used in reference to its strength and size were commonly understood without further explanation.

In row-crop country, barns served to house teams of horses and mules, feed, tack and related equipment. The size of the barn spoke of the crop acreage, the number of teams and workers that a farmer could put in the field.

Unlike today, a young, conservative farm family may have begun with only a small shed, but to them it represented a new beginning. The size of the barn would increase along with their experience and success. It would be at some point in the future when a larger barn served to inform, without words to any who passed, about the pride and prosperity of the family who worked the land.

Recently, a news reporter expressed dismay that fewer young families were choosing farming as an occupation. The old adage, “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone!” seems to fit. Debt load, weather and a 24-hour clock that never seems to stop are obvious reasons. I would question an undercurrent of opinion in America that farmers have outlived their purpose.

The current condition of old barns may reflect the same toll of debt load, weather, time and having outlived a useful purpose.

Even in the last century, there were pretenders, as noted by one old-timer regarding the size of a neighbor’s horse barn. “Why, that rascal built a 20-team barn and never saw the day he could field five teams!”

For more information about farming, contact your county extension agent or visit http://www.uaex.edu and select Agriculture. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.