Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with farms

What are the largest American farms, and how do they represent themselves visually?

tnygard — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:06:59 -0800

What are some of the largest farms in America, and how do they represent themselves visually? Hi all, I am thinking about how big farms in the US represent themselves visually today, and I am hoping that you can point me to some examples. I am especially interested in grain farms (wheat and corn), but any type of farm would be interesting to ponder. What are the names of huge farms that I could google? I am hoping to identify truly giant farms. Do these companies have public websites? Basically I am curious to see if these farms are using images that evoke the "small family farm" to market themselves, thus being deceptive. Or alternately, are they using a different visual vocabulary and set of aesthetic values? If their values are different, then what are they? Expansive fields? Gangs of machinery? Numerous hired laborers in the fields toiling? Abstract logos or realistic representational imagery? Any insights that you have would be most appreciated.

Which CSA in San Francisco should we choose?

otherwordlyglow — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:01:14 -0800

Please recommend to me a CSA that delivers in San Francisco and anything to look for in establishing a good relationship with the farm. Also, what's it like to be the drop-off site for a CSA? We're hoping to start getting produce from a CSA. There appear to be a few that deliver to San Francisco and I'm trying to decide which one would be best for us. We're two adult and one baby, not vegetarians but hoping to increase our vegetable consumption. Direct delivery or pick-up at a central site are both possible. Bonus points if they'll deliver to the Excelsior district but so far none I've found have a drop-off site in our neighborhood. I've emailed Eatwell and Terra Firma about becoming a drop-off site. What else should we be thinking about in deciding who to choose? I'm guessing that we'd enjoy visiting the farm(s) once or twice, too.

Science fiction that involves farming?

tnygard — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:29:31 -0800

Does anyone know of examples of science fiction about farming? I am especially interested in illustrated stories, movies, comic books, or anything with pictures. I think that looking at the history of farming in science fiction might be a fun way to show ideas about what the future might look like, tease out ethical questions, and see if predictions about farming came true. I am especially interested in visual culture, and stuff that would be citeable. Novels with illustrated covers, movies, comics, action figures, toys, would all be interesting. I am especially interested in 19th century America to the present, but if there is something good from the rest of the world that would be fun too.

I found examples of farms on the Tales of Future Past website, but there were no sources. Do any examples come to mind? Thanks for your insight!

http://davidszondy.com/future/farm/future_farm.htm

Plucking the Progressive Prairies

abkadefgee — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:11:07 -0800

What are some books or other resources that can help me become a better political organizer in rural areas? I'm working in three very rural counties right now and am facing new challenges as a result. I'd like to get some info on how I can be a better organizer in these areas and how I can get folks involved who live 2 hours from my office.

I do a lot of traveling to meet up with people, but i want to make the most of my trips and find the best places for recruiting volunteers.

And although I'm asking for books and resources, I'm also glad to hear any tips you guys might have as well if you have experience in the field.

Is it possible to have a pig delivered to someone?

gummo — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:50:21 -0800

Is it possible to have a pig delivered to someone? If so, how? I live in AZ. I have a friend who lives in Longbranch Washington (near Tacoma) on what is turning into a small farm. By this I mean, he has a gigantic garden, a bunch of chickens (including egg laying hens), and the intention to soon have a cow, a pig or pigs, and other various farmish items. He wants to grow his own food, collect his own milk, raise his own beef etc... He is serious about providing for himself in a healthy and world friends type way. Anyway, I want to help in some small way. His birthday is soon, and having seen the movie Doc Hollywood, and being of impractical and unsound mind, I'd like to buy him his first pig. 4-H kids raise them. I imagine it isn't something he can't handle. He's quite capable. Ideally, this pig would be delivered to his door with a bow and a rope leash. I realize this of course is entirely unrealistic. But how close to this can I come?

Questions to be answered:

Is a pig something I can buy over the phone?
How much would one cost?
How old will/should the pig be?
How out of the ordinary will my request to have the pig delivered be? (buying pigs is something that I'm sure is quite often done. But how much am I going to have to bribe somebody to drive it over to his house in a truck? Or is this fairly standard?)
Who do I call?
What am I not considering?

Specific answers would be great. Such as: Call chuck at this phone number, send $75 to his paypal account. Give him your friends address.

ps. Choosing a category for this item was interesting:
Pets and Animals?
Food and Drink? :)
Home and Garden?
Shopping?

Need permission for farm photo?

cgs — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:50:02 -0800

Should I ask the farmer's permission before taking pictures on his field? hi- i've long wanted to take some photos on some fields in my hometown in PA. i envision parking the car, hopping the fence, taking the shots (10 min), and getting out of there without messing with anything. do you think i'd better hunt down the farmer (or his family) and ask permission first, or just do it? on the one hand, it is trespassing, on the other, i'm just shooting landscapes (no people, equipment or houses), and maybe he wouldn't want to be hassled?

Red barns

lag — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 20:24:33 -0800

Being a city person, I am curious about why so many barns on the farms I see when driving around the country are painted red. Why is the color red seem to be the most common barn color? Or, is it just the farm neighborhoods I have been through? LAG