The Last of the Family Farms: A Book by James R. Bupp

In his book,The Last of the Family Farms, James R. Bupp shares his years of growing up on a family farm in Ohio. He tells us what it was like to be born into a farm family, what life was like, and how that shaped him and many others who grew up on similar family farms. So many Ohio family farms have disappeared. This book, The Last of the Family Farms explains that we have lost not only small farms, but also the lifestyle, values and heritage that helped to build our rural communities and enriched society as a whole.

The author's experience of growing up on a rural Ohio family farm is compared to the experiences of children today; four areas are explored:

One of the things children of today may find hard to believe is that there very few, if any, televisions in homes. There were radios, but they were listened to mostly in the evening, and, maybe more on the weekend. The news mostly came from the local newspaper which was delivered in the daily mail. So, no one was bombarded with advertisements. The news was not something that had happened that day. Local events were announced and reviewed far in advance. Farm life was most important, the news was for later. Daily life revolved around the current conditions and tasks to be accomplished.

Farm families raised and cared for the animals that provided milk, butter, other dairy products and meat for the family as well as income. Animals were both a product and a food source. Farm families cared for the animals well; but, also relied on the meat and by products. All family members were involved in the butchering process in some way. Most all parts of the animals were used. Little was waste. The farms also grew the vegetables and grains that supplied the family throughout the year. Fresh vegetables were enjoyed in the summer months, and harvest brought time for preserving and canning. Fruits were grown on trees on the farms, and sometimes gathered from bushes on the farm pastures. Jams and jellies were made and enjoyed throughout the year.

Life on the family farm meant being born into the family business; chores and work were just another part of family life. The child grew into the chores as development allowed. It was a privilege to be allowed to help with specific tasks, almost a right of passage for some. These chores built values such as responsibility and work ethic. Everyone on the farm had chores to be done; at times the family worked together as a team, at times each individual was responsible for their own task.

One thing that is described so very well in the book is the relationship and reliance on God. As mentioned, there is no successful farm without a strong relationship with the almighty creator. This relationship is founded and strengthened through the church and church family. The author's family drew their spiritual strength through the Church of the Brethren. Families supported each other, often times married within the same denomination and shared common heritage and culture. The church and the families of the congregations were strong; their relationship with God helped them build their lives and supported their farms.

This book is filled with stories of the author, his learning experiences, his family relationships, his early memories, recollections of church, school, friends and overall life in rural Ohio during the 1940s through 1960. It brings back memories to those who lived the life, informs those who did not, and is interesting to read on so many levels.

I found the book most interesting. I too grew up in this area, went to the same church, and know the author and his family. His grandmother instilled in me a love of rug hooking. I would walk to her home and watch as she worked on the burlap canvas which her husband had stretched on the frame for her; he drew most of the patterns she used. The author's mother was best friends with my grandmother; I enjoyed their friendship as I watched them share true fellowship, concerns and joyous times. They were the best cooks! Even the butter and cottage cheese turned from the churn was absolutely the best.

Now I'm beginning to get lost in memories, and I am losing the information from the book to them. This book will draw you into this rural life, the life of an Ohio farm family.