The situation for farmers, he says, is like the flame of a candle in the wind. With free trade he sees everything in a fog and is uncomfortable. He wonders whether there is a future in farming? Many feel the greater wealth of the country will lead to the greater happiness of the populace, this he strongly believes is false. This is a belief held by many in government, and yet we know that wealth does not determine the degree of happiness of the citizens.
The numbers of those retiring from work is increasing. He mentions a number of his old buddies who ask about life on the farm. They are now white haired and have time on their hands.They are looking for ways to occupy themselves after the many years in the work force. They mention how infrequent are the visit of their children and would like to see a change in the way we live. He compares life for some after retirement like the male bee, the drone, who is kicked out of the hive.
His son will be in third year high school next year and he comes home every other week end. The father casually told his son that after graduation from high school he could always work on the farm. The son shook his head derisively to which the father told him if you go to college and after graduation you can't find a job you can always come back to a big farm which I will buy for you. Now when he comes home he is more relaxed and magnanimous.
In the country along the road you see banners fluttering in the wind especially during the winter months they look out of place. You have them congratulating some recent son or daughter of the country who has just received their doctorate, passed a civil servant exam, or was hired by a big company. They make known to all, the family situation, and how proud they are of their children. He would love to see banners flying in the wind mentioning a son who has decided to return to the country to work on the family farm, or a son who has set up a cafe in the area and is asking for the people's patronage.
Life on the farm is busy and the future will not see any big changes but he finishes his article with the joy that comes with life on the farm. He would like to see the government make life on the farm easier, with less worry, but he also knows farmers have a great deal of joy from the small things of life that are all around them, and hopes this will continue in the future.
