Young Farmer

[Russell]

I've known Cade for a while now and though I am well acquainted with him, I've never spent much time with him at his job.

Cade is in his early twenties and he is doing something most unusual for his age - he is a full time farmer.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statics cites that of the 285 million people living in the United States less than 1% claim farming as an occupation. And of those 1% that are farmers, the median age is 55 - over thirty years older than Cade.

So with a positive attitude, Cade breaks ground a new cotton crop for 2009.

Farming is tough anywhere but farming cotton in the vertical strip of Texas real estate between the 100th meridian and the Caprock Escarpment tests anyone's mettle and resolve due to the fickleness of the wind, hail storms, and rain. So much of this year is reminiscent of what I've read about this part of the country in the 1930's during the Dust Bowl and the depression. Economically tough times coupled with an oppressive drought might make anyone give up. However, the red dirt is part of Cade as he grew up in a farming family just outside of Tell, Texas.

So as this growing season passes, I plan on finding out more about what makes someone so young stake a small financial fortune each year against market volatility and weather... And documenting him every step of the way.

Stay tuned...

[Linda Potter]

Coming from a farming family myself I have an appreciation for these photos! Great Job! Makes me want to go out and take some shots of my 75 year old father who still farms!

[Jeff_Green]

Thank you, Russell. I always love your images but the commentary to go with it is great and says a lot about this young man.

[sparkyjr]

love the fisheye shot (#5). Very cool. Nice work!

[LSCSN.com]

My in-laws are wheat and corn farmers and I have always wanted to do some shots like this, but we never seem to be there at the right times. Great series!!!

[Moses on the Street]

Good stuff, Russell.

I love the fish-eye, too. Great shot!

[Rick]

Great composition, tones, and sharpness in all of these! Really very well done. They are all great but the ones that stand out to me are #1, #2, and #6.

Rick

[hooligan]

God bless the American farmer!

[JohnT]

All of these are great, but I think you made very nice use of the fisheye in that one shot.

Thanks for sharing!

[texxter]

Russell, I'd be very interested in seeing more images from your documentary project. The images above are good, and leave me hungry for more environmental portraits and photojournalistic images. Nice job amd nice project!

[Teddington]

Great shots as always. A most unusual young man. Unless its a TX thing I'm not used to just yet, he must be a "modern" farmer. Can't say I ever saw one that put a crease in his work jeans. Doesn't matter, I'll be looking out for more of the story.

If I don't see a book coming out of this project, you need to rethink it.

[Russell]

Thanks a bunch, everyone. I really appreciate all of the kind feedback.

Chris, I see you are from Trenton. I grew up in Dodd City and played against the Trenton Tigers many times in basketball and baseball.

[mjdmike]

Good stuff Russell, look forward to more.

[wyatt]

Love the fish-eye shot too!

Wyatt
Trenton Tigers '75

[chrismg67]

Robert,
My 80 year old grandfather was a farmer all his life, out near Haskell, Texas. I worked on the farm every summer when I was a kid and he wanted me to take over the family farm but now says he is glad I didn't. Farming is a very hard and expensive way to make a living. The American farmer is going to become extinct because of the costs associated with it and the pittance they make on their crops. Family farms are disappearing everyday. Thanks for the post. brings back a lot of good memories from the farm.