Where Do Farmers Go to Meet Farmers?

This is a serious question when you are a displaced farmer.  There is a strong need to connect with like-minded people when you are disconnected from your farm like we are at the moment.  Even if you cannot go out to the barn every morning or hear the rooster, you need to find that connection.  It's an earthly need.  You crave dirt.  You dream of tractors.  You look for leftover hay in your pockets.

So, when we first moved here - to the "city" as we call it (and everyone here laughs) - I started to look for farmers.  Well, I actually started out looking for someone who could connect me with 4-H farmers in particular.  For my boys, of course.  To keep them connected to the wholesome values that 4-H and FFA gives a kid.  But really, I was hoping to find farmer friends.

Well, I did.  Tough girls who, as my city friend said, "carry pocket knives for castrating goats."  Girls like me.  Of course, you don't use a knife to castrate goats, but I get the idea.  And that's exactly the type of friends I found.

But where does someone go to find them if they aren't insane like I am...striking up conversations in the parking lot of Trader Joe's?  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Contact the local State Extension Office.  We found a Small Farms Expo happening (and we attended it).  Through there you can always find people who are part of farming groups or co-ops.
2.  Look up the local 4-H clubs.  Not all 4-H groups are farm related, but many are.
3.  Try craigslist.  Sounds a bit out there, but I've been known to email people who are selling livestock or related products and just ask if they want to be friends.  It works.  And you meet the most interesting people.

I am starting to build my family again here...my farming family.  And it feels good to know that I'm not alone in my desire to get my fingers dirty or in my excitement over "farmer porn" (seed catalogs).  I love that the people I have begun to meet share my values and are passionate about it.  Knowing that I have been able to find some of these people makes me feel like I might just be able to live here.