These stories are from our Facebook fans and submitted as part of our Wisdom From Our Elders collection of self-sufficient tales from yesteryear.
Both my parents grew up on self-sufficient farms. Both born in 1919, they grew up during the Great Depression and stayed in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl days. They have both passed away, but I’ve heard so many many stories of those years. My dad planted two orchards during my lifetime with all kinds of fruit trees and had huge vegetable gardens. He also loved roses and what we called Iris. When he died, his three acres where their home was had so many beautiful flowers.
— Ella Foster Renfro
My mother-in-law and her hubby went on a cowboy trip complete with a mule-pulled wagon. It took a week to go 30 miles!
— Renee Covalt
My mom was raised on a farm. They seldom ate meat, but they did eat plenty of vegetables, milk, cornbread and homemade butter. She never really cared for meat, just hamburgers.
— Tresa Lamb
I come from a long line of farmers. My father was raised on a farm, and farming goes back several generations on both sides of my family. My maternal grandmother grew up during The Great Depression, and her family had a Victory Garden.
— Candice Hobon
I used to visit my grandparents who had a farm in a town in Mississippi. The town was founded by slaves. It was the best time in my life. My uncle still farms the land.
— Michelle Gayle
Photo by Fotolia/ Julie Lubick
Please send email submissions to Letters@MotherEarthNews.com with the subject line “Elder Wisdom” or send mail to attn: Heidi Hunt, Re: Elder Wisdom, Mother Earth News, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609
