8 September 2010
Dear Mr. Nadziejko and Classmates:
I would like your permission to write about the history of the Nuernberger Farm. This farm is located about two miles east New Athens, IL and to present extends almost to Marissa, IL. It has been in the family for about one hundred sixty three years. This is a subject I find very interesting and I have a lot of access to the family and all who help make a success of this farm.
This farm was first purchased in 1847. The large farmhouse that now stands was once just a log cabin. Underneath the original log cabin are still logs holding up the structure of this part of the home. The home was added on to in the earlier years and now consists of nine rooms. This home still has steam heat radiators. Victor, the youngest of this generation of Nuernberger men, now resides in the farmhouse. This is also the home he grew up in along with about seven generations of his ancestors. There are some interesting stories about certain "ghosts" in this home and on one stormy night, I think one of these "ancestors" tried to protect me from getting struck by lightning. This is a part of the story I will tell you about if you decide to let me write about this farm.
Other members of the Nuernberger family I will be interviewing are Dan and Mary Jo Nuernberger, Victor's older brother and sister-in-law, and Julie Nuernberger Main, Victor's older sister. Others who take care of this farm include Victor's nephews, Ed and Brad Main. There are several brothers of Julie's husband, John Main, who help at the farm. I will also be interviewing very good family friends who own some of the newer farm acreage along with the Nuernberger family.
I have spoken to most of the family members about my interest in writing this paper. Victor has told me so many different stories already about his experiences on this farm. He took me on my very first ride in a combine during the wheat harvesting. These farmers are now busy harvesting corn. Harvesting soybeans and planting wheat will come next. I will be involved in all of this.
The Nuernbergers no longer have cattle or horses, but they have had them in the past. Today they continue to raise, sell, and butcher hogs. Butchering season is in December. I plan to be right in the middle of this whole process! From the pictures of have seen, I am very glad I have a strong stomach!
The Nuernberger family is very prominent in the community of New Athens and in St. Clair County. They are a very giving family to their community and highly respected. When St. John's United Church of Christ has the Fall Wurstmart, all of the meat is donated by the Nuernberger Farm. I have seen certificates from several different organizations hanging on the walls of the farmhouse.
These people are excited to help me out and most have told me they will have their own story about the happenings on this farm. This paper will not be limited to riding in combines and plowing fields. I will tell you about the original cost of the farm in 1847, the several generations of Nuernbergers that have lived on this farm, the changes in farming from 1847 to the present, planting and harvesting seasons, butchering seasons, and the hobos that lived by the farm at one time.
I can also ask about the cost of the some of the large equipment they have to use, how the economy is affecting the farm, how the government likes to dictate how they can no longer plow fields under and cannot use certain pesticides. I will ask if being a farmer still seems like a rewarding profession.
I can also ask about the cost of the some of the large equipment they have to use, how the economy is affecting the farm, how the government likes to dictate how they can no longer plow fields under and cannot use certain pesticides. I will ask if being a farmer still seems like a rewarding profession.
I visit the farm often and already know who I want to interview and about what topic I want each of these family members and all who help out to tell me about. I can also ask a few villagers what makes this farm so special to the people of the New Athens.
Sincerely,
Deb Reeves
I think this is a good subject because there is a lot of little things to write about. I like the whole idea with the ghost story because it shows people that this is a old house thats been in the family. Its been awhile but on yahoo news the was a new england family thazt had to sell their farm that they owned for over 300 years and they had to sell. that would be cool to add other people who tried keeping their house in the family but couldent afford it, you can see how they felt about letting it go. You can also ask this family if they ever thought about selling or how do they deal with the recession, because times are tuff expecially for farmers. Another neat thing to look for would be if anything historical happend on the property like a civil war battle field or if one of their family members were in the military years ago.
ReplyDeleteWow this is well written, and very interesting. I think old farms have a lot of history and fascinating stories. You could also talk about some of the other farms in the area and what maybe makes this farm more interesting or unique. You could talk about the different types of equipment they use on the farm, as well as the cost. I am sure it costs a lot to maintain a large farm,and that would be interesting to hear about. Is it a rewarding profession?
ReplyDeletethis sounds very interesting and you sound well prepared. I am excited to read whats to come.
ReplyDeletecAitlyn
This topic sounds very interesting and it is well thought out. You have a lot of material and access so I believe this willt urn out great. Your letter is written exceptionally well from my point of view, and it makes me very interested in wanting to learn more about this family farm!! Nice work
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic to write about. It seems like there is a ton of information about this farm. I think it's a good idea to write about the farm since you are close to the family, you have no limitations to what you can research and can really get some hands on experince working on it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you a very familiar with this subject, and know a lot about it. You already have ideas about who you will interview and how you will prepare your paper. Sounds also like you will have a great experience while you are doing the paper.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear about your topic. It sounds very interesting. I noone in my family are farmers so hearing about a farm would help understand what they go through. Getting to help at the farm will be a good experience. Talk about them in the papers. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good topic, lots of information. I'm excited to hear more about your topic! I know nothing about farms, or farming .
ReplyDeleteDenise
This is a good topic. It is obviously a sub culture of farmers, and is easily identifiable. I would assume these specific farmers have a pleuthra of terms and ideals special to them. Talk about the influence previous generations have had on the sub culture, and also make sure to include specific examples of what makes your family farm much different than others.
ReplyDelete