Gratitude to the farmers

Ipersonally would like to thank the farmers throughout Rappahannock and especially the ones from Massies Corner on into Little Washington for keeping their land so beautiful for all of us to see and enjoy. I love the drive through the area with the open viewshed; the animals and, yes, the hay. They could take this away at any time, by building over-sized barns and buildings with apartments over them as so many are doing on small pieces of land with bright colors for us to see driving by. But they have not done anything to destroy the natural beauty in the county. Many tourists do business here, and they buy real estate because it is so beautiful as they drive through.

I hear praise for so many things but seldom the farmers. And these people work hard. They are at the mercy of the weather. The animals always need food and caregiving. And the land is not cleared without expensive equipment that always needs repairs and someone to work it. Fences need regular upkeep. If, and when, hard times hit, there is not much grant money to bail them out as there is for so many other businesses.

So I feel grateful to them for I know how hard it can be, for I come from a farm background and there are not many vacations to take. I’ve learned to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut under my mask and to accept and appreciate what these farmers give to all us. For some day, this could change. So enjoy the view for now. Believe me, they are not keeping it this way because the profits are so great. They really love the land. Carolyn Beahm Washington