New neighbors

by Doug Toburen

April 01, 2008 09:41 am

— Living the country lifestyle has been a way of life for many and a dream for many more.
As agriculture changes with the times so has the countryside.
Where there were once modest farm houses every quarter of a mile, now, it’s not uncommon to see large, modern and extravagant houses scattered across the landscape.
Even in times of $12 soybeans and $9 wheat, these aren’t the homes of successful farmers.
Instead, they’re the homes of doctors and lawyers and successful businessmen and women who are trading the hustle and bustle of the city for a calmer, more relaxed rural setting.
One of the areas that has seen its fair share of urbanites moving to the country is in Douglas County, Kan.
According to Bill Wood, Douglas County K-State Extension ag agent, every year more land is taken out of production agriculture each year in his area.
“In 1987 there were 224,000 farm acres in Douglas County,” Wood explains. “In 2006 there were 202,000 farm acres.”
In that 19-year period, Wood says, one percent of the farm ground in Douglas County was lost.
“Not all of the land is being taken out of agriculture to build homes on but a percentage of it is,” he says.
According to him, developing new highways and roads as well as business development have taken a fair share of acres out of production agriculture.
“Even though one percent may not seem like a lot in 19 years I don’t think this will slow down,” Wood says. “We are right in the middle of Topeka and Kansas City and land is available here.”
Wood feels that, on average, when someone new moves from the city to the country they are purchasing around 40 acres of land to build on.
According to him, the homes they’re building range from $150,000 to multi-million dollar houses.
All of these new, urban-oriented neighbors only add to the changes and challenges of farmers and ranchers who have lived in the country for generations.
“It’s easy to have some negative feelings toward someone moving in next door to you and building an expensive home,” Wood says.
Yet, according to him, farmers have had to deal with changes in agriculture for many years and they will continue to for years to come.
“This is all about having the right attitude and dealing with new neighbors with respect,” he explains.
According to Phillip Metsker, a fourth generation Douglas County farmer, attitude is everything.
“Don’t be negative when these people move to the country,” he says. “If they can afford it, more power to them.”
According to Metsker, the more they pay for land to build on, the more it increases the value of his land.
Wood believes that even though these new neighbors may not know anything about the country, all they want is to do is enjoy the country just like farmers have all their lives.
“It is important to be good neighbors,” he says.
There are a number of ways in which farmers can be good neighbors.
“Start off with going over and introducing yourself to your new neighbors,” he says. “Take them a casserole or some homemade cookies and make them feel welcome.”
Wood feels like this could be something completely new to someone who is used to living in the city where they may have never even visited with their neighbors.
“After you get to know them, invite them over for a picnic or a weenie roast,” he suggests.
Wood knows that the lifestyle of farmers is hectic and busy and it may seem hard to find the time or the desire to get to know your new neighbors but it will pay big dividends.
In addition to getting to know your neighbors and making them feel comfortable, keep your place nice and tidy.
“Well-kept farms just look more inviting than those that don’t,” Wood explains.
Metsker believes that by keeping his farm looking nice it takes away the opportunity for the neighbors to gripe.
Another way to be a good neighbor, according to Wood, is to ask the new neighbors if they would like to come help on the farm.
“Whether you are putting up hay or working cattle, let them get a taste of what your lifestyle involves,” he says.
According to him, most of these folks are going to have some land they don’t know what to do with and if they are comfortable with you they will come to you looking for advice—and that could help avoid problems later.
When it comes to everyday farming and ranching practices, Wood cautions producers to keep their new neighbors in mind.
“If you have cattle think where you locate your feed bunks and bale feeders,” Wood explains. “Make sure that run-off is not going right under the fence onto the neighbors property.”
When spraying, Wood says to try to pick a day when the wind isn’t blowing towards the neighbor’s house.
“You don’t want to spray on a day when it could drift over and kill the neighbors flowers or garden,” he says.
There are a lot of seasonal activities that farmers do like spraying and burning that can be an issue for new neighbors.
“Dust, dirt and smoke are all things that you should try to control the best you can in order to be courteous to your neighbors,” he says.
Pets, according to Wood can be a real issue with new neighbors.
“This is something that really goes both ways,” Wood says. “You don’t want the neighbor’s dogs chasing your cattle and they don’t want your dog digging in their yard.”
The best fix to this, Wood feels, is to keep your dogs in pens unless they are out with you and you can see where they are and what they are doing.
Keeping cattle in pastures is also very important.
“Good fences make good neighbors,” Wood says. “We have heard this and known this forever and it is very important.”
According to him, if you don’t have a good relationship with your urban-oriented neighbors, and your cows are on the road, they aren’t going to call you, they are going to call the sheriff.
“This is all they know to do,” he says. “In town, if something was wrong or if they were bothered by something they called 911!”
When it comes right down to it, treat these new neighbors just like you treated your rural neighbors all your life.
“Help them when they need help. Ask them to help you when you need help,” he says.
According to Wood, attitude is everything and it all boils down to living by the golden rule of treating other people the same way you would like to be treated.
“If you have a bad attitude about new people moving into the country you might as well sell out and move to western Kan-sas where you won’t have to worry about it,” he concludes.

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