>> THIS LAND IS OF MY FOREBEARERS WHO CONFORMED ITS WILDNESS TO THEIR OWN DESIGNS, WHO PLOWED MEASURED FURROWS ACROSS ITS RANDOM SWALES AND DESCRIBED ITS BOUNDARIES IN ROWS OF STONE, WHO BAPTIZED IT WITH THEIR SWEAT AND THEIR BLOOD AND JOINED IT WITH THEIR BONES.

>> A VERMONT DAIRY FARMER CAN SPEND MORE THAN 100 HOURS A WEEK DOING ALL OF THE WORK THAT GOES INTO MAKING MILK, YET AN AVERAGE FARM INCOME CAN BE AS LITTLE AS $13,000 A YEAR.

AT THAT RATE, THE FINANCIAL REWARD IS ABOUT $2.50 AN HOUR.

WHO WOULD WORK SO HARD FOR SO LITTLE MONEY?

NOT MOST AMERICANS.

AS MUCH AS 50% OF AMERICA'S AGRICULTURAL REVENUE IS GENERATED BY LARGE CORPORATIONS; THE REST COMES FROM SMALL-SCALE PRODUCERS, FAMILY FARMERS EKING OUT A LIVING FROM THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

NOWHERE ARE THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES MORE CHALLENGING THAN IN VERMONT WHERE FORCES, BOTH HISTORICAL AND NATURAL, HAVE CONSPIRED TO MAKE WORKING THE LAND A DIFFICULT, FINANCIAY LIMITED ENTERPRISE.

SO WHY WORK SOARD?

THE MOES IVES ARE AS STRONG AND AS VARIED AS THE PERSONALITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THE LAND.

>> EITHER YOU FARM BECAUSE IT'S A NICE WAY OF LIFE OR YOU FARM BECAUSE IT'S A BUSINESS.

IT CAN BE BOTH.

>> EVERYBODY COMES INTO THE WORLD WITH THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING.

THIS IS MY GIFT.

>> FARMING IS WHAT I LIKE TO DO, AND AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE IT'S WHAT I KNOW HOW TO DO.

>> I GUESS IT WAS A CERTAIN KIND OF INDEPENDENCE BECAUSE I'VE DONE WHAT I WANTED TO DO AND I'VE DONE IT THE WAY I WANTED TO DO IT.

>> IT'S THE LOVE OF WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND EVERYBODY DOING WT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THEY'RE SUOSED TO DO IT.

>> AS STRONG AS THE MOTIVATIONS E TO FM, FARMSRE BEING LOST AT AN UNPRECEDENTED TE N. VERMONT WHERE DAIRYING COMPRISE S 85 PERCENT PERCENT OF THE STATE'S AGRICULTURE, AUCTIONS LIKE THIS ONE HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE LIQUIDATION OF OVER 1,000 FARMS IN THE PAST DECADE ALONE.

IF THE CURRENT TREND CONTINS, SOME PREDICT VERMONT'S AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WILL VIRTUALLY DISAPPR WITHIN 20 YEARS.

FARMING HAS COME TO REPRESENT MORE THAN JUST HARD, INDEPENDENT, FULFILLING WORK.

IN TAY'S UNFORGIVING ECONOMIC CLIMATE, IT SEEMS AS MUCH A CAUSE AS IT DOES A PROFESSION BECAUSE AS MORE AND MORE FARMS GO OUT OF BUSINESS, THOSE THAT SURVIVE ARE KEEPING A VERY SPECIAL WAY OF LIFE ALIVE.

WHETHER IT'S MILK OR ANY OTHER FARM PRODUCT, MOST OF US TAKE THE SOURCE OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY FOR GRANTED.

WE'VE DELOPED A KIND OF NEARSIGHTEDNESS THAT KEEPTS US FROM SEEING BEYOND THE PACKAGING.

LOOK A LOT CLOSER AND YOU REALIZE THAT EACH DROP OF MILK WE DRINK REPRESENTS THE TOIL, THE ASPIRATIONS, THE JOYS AND THE FRUSTRATIONS OF A SINGLE FARM FAMILY, A SET OF LIVES IN MOTION, SOMETIMES IN CONFLICT; TRANSITION.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO FARM VERMONT'S EASTERN EDGE DESCEND FRTD AREA'S EARLIEST IRE UR EE MEAN IMMIGRANTS THE SKOTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN NELSONS FARMING THIS CONNECTICUT RIVER LAND SINCE 1774 WHEN WILLIAM H. NEILSON FIRST ARRIVED AND SETTLED NEAR THE ENCLAVE HENCEFORTH KNOWN AS RYEGATE.

GENERATIONS OF NELSONS LIVED ON AND WORKED THE SAME LAND, EACH ONE LEAVING ITS MARK ON THE FARM, THEN PASSING IT ON.

TODAY THERE'S STILL A NELSON FARM.

THE CURRENT KPER OF THE ANCESTRAL FLAME IS 47 YEAR OLD BILL, WHO TOOK OVER FROM HIS FATHER IN THE PATTERN OF ORDERLY SUCCESSION TYPICAL OF MOST FARMS UP TO TWO DECADES AGO.

LLOWING HIS SON'S LIFELONG GROOMING, THERE WAS LITTLE DOUBT IN THE ELDER WILLIAM NELSON'S MIND ABOUT WHO WOULD RUN THINGS WHEN DAD RETIRED, BUT THINGS AREN'T AS CLEAR CUT TODAY AS THEY WERE 25 YEARS AGO.

>> I DON'T FEEL MUCH PRESSURE FROM MY PARENTS FOR ME TO STAY HOME AND KEEP THE FARM GOING.

WHATEVER I CHOSE TO DO IN LIFE THEY WOULD BE HAPPY.

>> BILL'S OWN ELDEST SON WAS RAISED TO BE A GOOD FARMER AND TO DECIDE HIS OWN FUTURE.

IT'S STILL UNCERTAIN WHETHER THAT FUTURE WILL INCLUDE THE FAMILY FARM.

>> VERMONT'S CHAMPLAIN VALLEY MAY BE THE MOST FAVORABLE PLACE IN THE STATE TO FARM.

THE WEATHER SO TEMPERATE AND THE LAND SO FERTILE HERE THAT ENVIOUS FARMERS OUTSIDE THE AREA CALL IT THE BANANA BELT.

THIS IS WHERE MANY OF VERMONT'S MOST PROSPEROUS DAIRY FARMS FLOURISHED AND WHERE JUST AS MANY QUIETLY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AFTER LAUNCHING A WHOLE GENERATION OF NONFARMERS WITH HIS LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE DEGREE, HAROLD GIARD COULD HAVE PURSUED ANY CAREER.

HE CHOSE TO TAKE OVER THE FAMILY FARM.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE A DOCTOR, I DON'T WANT TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT AND I DON'T WANT TO BE AWE LAWYER, AND I'M THE ONE THAT ENDS UP STAYING ON THE FARM.

>> OVER THE 9 YEARS SINCE GIARDOOK CONTROL OF HIS FATHER'S FARM, HE'S BEEN EXPERIMENTING, DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR THE ILLUSIVE KEY TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH DAREY FARMING DEMANDS INNOVATIVE THINKING, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY REWARD IT.

FOR SOME, FARMING BEGINS AS AN EXERCISE IN IDEALISM AND SELF DETERMINATION.

NEITHER BOB LIGHT NOR HIS WIFE LEE HAD MUCH EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY ABANDONED A SUBURBAN LIFESTYLE AND BOUGHT THEIR FIRST FARM BACK IN 1972.

WHAT THEY DID HAVE WAS A STUBBORN WILL TO MAKE A LIVING FROM THEIR LAND, A SPIRIT THAT HAS CARRIED THEM IN AND OUT OF A HALF DOZEN AGRICULTURAL ENDEAVORS IN 22 YEARS.

>> WE HAVE GROWN STRAWBERRIES, WE'VE TRIED POULTRY,E TRIEDIGS, WE TRIED BEEF, JUST ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TH YOU CAN THINK OF WE'VE TRIED >> THEIR ODYSSEY HAS BROUGHT DEEP BITTERNESS AS WELL AS A STRONG SENSE OF PRIDE AND FULFILLMENT.

ALONG THE WAY THEY'VE MATCHED THEIR IDEALISM TO THE HARD ECONOMIC REALITIES OF THEIR VOCATION.

TODAY'S TOUGHEST AGRICULTURAL ISSUES ARE PLAYED OUT ON THE FARMS OF AMERICA'S SMALL PRODUCERS.

IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS UP AGAINST IN BOTH ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL TERMS.

BECAUSE HERE THE ISSUES HAVE FACES.

IN 1989 NANCY GRAPH PUBLISH THE STRENGTH OF THE HILLS, A PICK TO CALL ESS DEPICTING A DAY IN THE FARM LIFE OF THE NELSONS OF RYEGATE CORNER.

SINCE THEN VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED ON HOME ACRES FARM.

THE CHILDREN HAVE GROWN MUCH TALLER AND MORE SELF ASSURED, BUT DAILY LIFE ON THIS FARM HAS REMAINED ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS IT'S BEEN FOR DECADES.

THE DAY STI BEGS AT DAWN , ELDEST SON GRANT AND BRETT SUTHERLAND, THE NELSON'S HIRED MAN, BEGIN THE THREE HOURS OF MILKING, FEEDING AND BARN CLEANING COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS CHORES.

BY 814 YEARLD BETSYS BUSY FDING CALVES.

CARE OF THEOUNG STOCK USUALLY FALLS TO THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.

NOW 16, ANDREW HAS BEEN DRIVING TCTORS F 6 YEARS.

HE'S A SELF-STARTER WHO WL SPEND HIS DAY TACKLING JOBS IN AND AROUND THE BARNS WITH LONG BREAKS JUST TO BE A TEENAGER.

HAVING SPENT THE EARLY HOURS ON HER OWN MORNING CHORES, JENNY TAKES BL'S PLACE E MILKING PARLOR FREEING HIM TO CATCH UP ON FARM SINESS.

A FARM WIFE'S TASKS A OFTEN DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE OVERALL ROUTINE.

THE MEN TAKE A LATE BREAKFAST BETWEEN 9:30 AND 10, THEN REFUEL FOR THE WORK OF THE DAY, THEY GATHER TO COORDINATE THEIR TASKS AND DISCUSS STRATEGY.

THEY'LL WORK MOSTLY ALONE FOR ANOTHER 7 HOURS WITH A MID AFTERNOON MALE BREAK, THEN RECONVENEOR A 3-HOUR SESSION OF EVENING CHORES.

THE DAY'S WORK WILL END AT ABOUT 9 P.M., 14 HOURS AFTER IT BEGAN.

TOMORROW IT WILL HAPPEN 5U8 OVER AGAIN.

365 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF LONG, HARD WORK.

AT ITS BEST DAIRYINGING IS A LABOR OF LOVE.

AT WORST, IT CAN FEEL LIK SLAVE LABOR.

>> THE MONLY ACCNTING OF INCOME VERSUS COSTS ON HOME ACRES FARM POINTS UP THE SIMPLE DISTURBING FACT THAT THE NELSONS ARE MAKING LITTLE FINANCIAL HEAD WAY.

>> IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN HAVE SO MUCH INVESTED IN THIS OPERATION OF DAIRY FARMING, BETWEEN THE EQUIPMENT AND THE BUILDINGS, AND THE ANIMALS AND STILL NOT BE ABLE TO GENERATE ENOUGH INCOME TO REALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE.

ONE OF OUR MOST RECENT YEARS OUR NET INCOME WAS ABOUT $34,000.

GRANT WAS GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE THAT FALL, AND BILL WORKING 14 HOURS A DAY, 16 HOURS A DAY AND ME WORKING MAYBE 5 HOURS A DAY, AND ANDREW, AND BETSY, AN HANNAH DOING CHORES, AND THE BARN STILL DIDN'T GET PAINTED.

THERE WAS STILL ANOTHER TRACTOR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRADED IN, BUT I GUESS IT WAS EXCITING TO PAY TAXES FOR A CHANGE.

>> THAT WAS IN A GOOD YEAR.

MILK PRICES ARE AGAIN FALLING, AND THE NELSONS ARE BRACING FOR THE KIND OF MARGINAL CASH FLOW THAT'S BECOME MORE THE RULE THAN THE EXCEPTION.

A RECENT STUDY REVEALED WHAT VERMONT FARMERS HAVE KNOWN ALL ALONG.

IN 1993 THEY RECEIVED AROUND $13.25 FOR 100 POUNDS OF MILK, BUT THEIR AVERAGE NET PROFIT AFTER EXPENSES WAS A MERE 12 CENTS.

BY CHECKS REFLECTED PRICES AS LOW AS $12.76 PER HUNDRED WEIGHT SENDING PRODUCER OFITS IN NEGATIVE TERRY.

VERMTARMERS WERE IN EFFECT SUBSIDIZING MILK PRODUCTS FOR THE REST OF US.

>> WAY BACK IN THE 40S THERE WAS SOMEING CALLED PARITY, AND THAT MEANT THAT A FARR WAS PAIDT IT COSTO PRODUCE HIS PRUCT, AND UGH THE YEARS SOMEHOW THAT PERCEAGE OF PARITY HAS JUST DROPPED RIGHT TO THE FLOOR.

>> HISTORICALLY DAIRY FARMERS HAVE BEEN PRICE TAKERS RATHER THANRICE SETERS.

IN THE WHOLE CHAIN, WE'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN'T REALLY SET OUR PRICE.

>> BUT IT ALL STARTS AT OUR FARM, AND IF OUR FARM PRICE ISN'T HIGH ENOUGH SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE MILK, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE THOSE GUYS AREN'T GOING TO HAVE MILK TO SELL.

>> VERMONT FARMERS ARE TIRING OF THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLE.

YEARS OF UNSTABLE MILK PRICES HAVE WORN THEM DOWN TO MINIMAL EXPECTATIONS.

>> IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY PER HUNDRED WEIGHT, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN WE'RE GETTING NOW AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE STABLE T. IT COULDN'T BE THIS UP AND DOWN ROW RAR COASTER RIDE.

>> TODAY'S COST INCOME RATIO IS CHALLENGING EN MULTIGENERATIONAL FARMS LIKE THE NELSONS WHOSE ORIGINAL MORTGAGE WAS PAID OFF BY SOME DISTANT AN ZEST TORE.

BUT FOR MANY WHO BEGAN FARMING UNDER THE YOLK OF LONG-TERM PROPERTY LOANS, THE SITUATION HAS BECOME DESPERATE.

>> IF A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TO WORK THE HOURS FOR THE WAGES THAT WE WORK, THEY WOULD THINK WE WERE TOTALLY INSANE.

>> DEXTER RANDALL IS IN TROUBLE.

>> I'VE BEEN FARMING FOR 21 YEARS, AND I OWE $40,000 MORE THAN WHEN I STARTED.

>> A STAGNANT MILK MARKET WASN'T PART OF THE EQUATION IN THE LATE 70S WHEN HE SIGNED A 40 YEAR NOTE ON THIS FARM NEAR THE U.S.

CANADIAN BOARDER.

>> THAT'S A LONG TIME TO PAY ON A LOAN, 40 YEARS, AND I WILL PROBABLY EITHER BE DEAD OR BALANCED HEADED BY THE TIME THAT DAY COMES.

I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BEAT THE MORTGAGE ENTIRELY UNLESS SOME MIRACLE HAPPENS.

INTEREST RATES STARTED GOING UP ALONG ABOUT 1981, AND WE GOT INTO A PRICE SQUEEZE, BUT THEN WHEN THE PRICE OF MILK STARTED GOING DOWN AND EVERYTHING CONTINUALLY WENT UP, EVERYTHING YOU BUY, TIRES, MACHINERY REPAIRS, LIGHT BILLS, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CONTINUALLY GO UP HIGHER AND HIGHER.

SO I KIND OF HAVE TO BE PRETTY CAREFUL WITH MY MONEY WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

THOUGH MOST DAIRY FARMS OPERATE ON A SHOE STRING THESE DAYS, IT DOESN'T MAKE THE SACRIFICES ANYASIER, EN TO SOMEONE WHO'S USED TO IT.

>> FARMERS TAKE DOING WITHOUT MATERIAL THINGS IN LI FOR GRANTEDORE CAUSE IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A WAY OF LIFE FOR THEMOR SO MANY YEARS THAT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW ANY DIFFERENT.

MY EQUIPMENT IS BOUGHT SECONDHAND WHEN I DO BUY IT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD NEW.

MYEWEST TRAOR IS A 1976.

I JUST LET SOMETHING SET AND WAIT UNTIL I DO HAVE THE MONEY AND THEN I FIX IT.

PEOPLE LOOK AT A FARM LIKE MINE THAT ISN'T EVERYTHING ALL PAINTED RIGHT UP LIKE MAYBE WELL THAT GUY DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FARM.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHY HE'S LIKE HE SBUT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES A AHOLE DIFFERENT ECONOC PICTURE THAN WHAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF.

SOME YRS WE'VE HAD AS LOW AS $5,000 A YEAR FAMILY LIVING AND THE REST HAS GONE RIGHT BACK INTO THE FARM IN ORDER TO KEEP EXPENSES PAID.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BUILDINGS LOOK BETTER THAN THEY DO, BUT OF COURSE THAT'S GOING TO COSTOME.

IT COULD ALSO BE A DETRIMENTAL AFFECT ALSO BECAUSE IF I CLEANED UP THE OUTSIDE OF THE BARN AND PUT NEW SIDING ON, THERE MIGHT BE THAT POSSIBLE CHANCE THAT MY REAL ESTATE TAXES WOULD GO UP.

I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SNOWMOBILE EVEN THUS I ASS AN WE HAVE OVER A MILE OF GROOMED TRAIL THAT GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE PROPERTY.

I LOOK OUT HERE ON A SUNDAY AND SOMETIMES SEE AS MUCH AS 200 SNOWMOBILES GO BY, BUT I NEVER CAN SEEM TO GET TO WHERE I CAN AFFORD TO KEEP SOME OLD SNOWMACHINES RUNNING.

I'VE GOT CHILDREN THAT MILK, AND MYIFE HAS ALWAYS WORKED REAL HARD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T HIRE LABOR.

WE VERY SELDOM GO OUT TO EAT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR CLOSE TO 21 YEARS WE'VE HAD A TOTAL OF 9AYS THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF US WASN'T HERE TO DO CHORES.

I'D LIKE TO SEE JUST A VACATION WHERE MY WIFE AND I COULD GO AND BE ALONE FOR 10 DAYS AND SIT DOWN, RELAX IN THE SUN, DO WHAT A FEW NORMAL PEOPLE DO.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A MATTER OFURVIVAL THAN ANYTHI ELSE.

I HAVE ALL I CAN DO TO EKE OUT A BARE LIVING.

IN FT, TWO YEARSND A HALF AGO THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT.

I WAS ON FOOD STAMPS FOR 8 MONTHS.

ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO HEALTH INSURANCE STARTED TO GO UP QUITE DRAMATICALLY.

I FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I JUST COULDN'T EVEN PAY THE PREMIUMS NO MATTER WHAT THEY WERE.

MY OWN LIVELIHOOD HAS GOT TO BE BASICALLY INSURED, BUT WITH HEALTH INSURANCE, IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE MUST AN SO WE JUST DO WITHOUT.

>> DOING WITHOUT MEDICAL COVERAGE CAN BE RISKY WHEN YOU'RE WORKING IN AN ACCIDENT-PRONE INDUSTRY AS RANDALL SOON LEARNED, THE HARD WAY.

>> ABOUT 5:00 IN THE AFTERNOON I HAD A LOAD OF HAY ON MY HAY TRAILER AND TRACTOR, AND I WAS GOING UP WHERE THERE USED TO BE FROM THIS ABUTMENT, THERE WAS A BRIDGE THAT WENT UP TO THIS FLOOR UP THERE AN I HAD JUST GOT INSIDE OF THE BARN WITH A TRACTOR, AND EVERYTHING BROKE AWAY.

THE BRIDGE AND THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE TRACTOR COLLAPSED.

I CAME DOWN, LANDED ON THE MENT FLOOR, PINNED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER.

MY SON SHUT THE TRACTOR OFF.

THEY HELPED ME GET OUT AND I HAD A BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK AN A REAL BAD SWELLING.

I WAS UNABLE TO WORK FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS THAT I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE OF MY CHILDREN TAKE OVER THE FAMILY FARM SOME DAY, BUTF THEY WERE TO TAKE OVER THE FARM AND HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LIFETIME OF STRUGGLE, NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY BILLS AND ALWAYS WONDERING WHEN THE TELEPHONE RANG WHO THE BILL COLLECTOR WAS GOING TO BE THAT WAS WANTING MONEY THAT U DIDN'T HAVE AND THAT SORT OF THING, I WOULDN'T WISH THAT ON ANYONE.

I LOOK UP TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE DEBTS.

I FEEL THAT IF I HAD THE SAME ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, I PROBABLY WOULD BE JUST AS GOOD A FARMER AS THEY ARE.

I'D LIKE TO BE THERE, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE I PROBABLY EVER WILL.

>> TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON VERMONT'S SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED DAIRY FARMS.

WITH EACH DROP IN MILK PRES, THE PROSPECTS FOR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL BECOME EVEN MORE DIM.

WHILE MANY FARMERS ANXIOUSLY WAIT FOR OUTSIDE SOLUTIONS, OTHERS ARE REACHING WITHIN THEMSELVES.

>> I WORK HARDER, YOU GET UP EARLIER, YOU TRY TO DO THE BEST JOB YOU CAN.

YOU GET MORE EFFICIENT.

>> SINCE HIS FATHER'S RETIREMENT IN 1985, HAROLD HAS BEEN WAGGING A SINGLE-MINDED CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT AN EVER NARROWING PROFIT MARGE BEGIN BY MAXIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY OF HIS FARMING OPERATION.

>> IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WE JUST SAID WE HAVE TO GET MORE EYE FISH ENT CHT THE FARM EVOLVED INTO AN EFFICIENT OPERATION TO CUT DOWN ON OUR LABOR COSTS, TO DO AWAY WITH MORE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO DO IT WITH FEWER PEOPLE TO GET THAT LABOR COST DOWN.

WE STUDIED HOW WE FEED THE COWS.

IT USED TO TAKE US 4 HOURS AND 46 MINGTS AND NOW WE'VE GOT IT TO WHERE WE C FD THEM IN 48 MINUTES THCHLT CUT OUT LABOR.

MY LABOR BILL FOR 1993 HAS NEVER BEEN LOWER.

MY A PROERB TOHIS BUSINESS, IF WE'VE GOT TO CONTROL AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PRICE OF MILK, SO CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN.

WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS MY ALFALFA PIECE.

THIS MAKES UP THE MAJORITY OF THE FORGE THAT I FEED TO MY DAIRY COWS.

WE'RE NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE HEIGHTH OF THE PLANT BUT ALSO THE QUALITY OF THE LEAVES BECAUSE IT'S THE LEAVES THAT MAKE UP 70% OF THE CRUDE PROTEIN THAT MY COWS NEED TO USE.

WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HERE IS BEING ABLE TO GET STARTED ON TIME.

IF I WAIT ANY LONGER, IF WE WAIT, THE QUALITY DECLINES AND I'M NOT MAXIMIZING THE QUALITY THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO MY COWS.

WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH THIS, RUSSELL.

LET'S CHOP IT AND LET'S GET GOING.

>> LET'S CUT IT DOWN.

THERE'S NOTHING MORE I CAN DO.

WE CAN'T GET ANYMORE EFFICIENT THAN THIS.

THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS DURING THE 70S ON THE DAIRY FARMS WAS THE ABILITY TO BUY MACHINERY.

THE ABILITY TO SPEND MONEY AND ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT IT.

NOW THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

NOW THE DEFINITION IS BE ABLE TO PAY YOUR BILLS.

IN 1926 MY GRANDFATHER PURCHASED THIS DAIRY FARM.

ALL HE HAD WAS THIS LITTLE SECTION OF BARN RIGHT HERE, MADE A LIVING WITH 15 COWS.

IN 1947 MY GRANDFATHER MOVED EVERYTHING ACROSS THE ROAD TO THIS FACILITY HERE, SO HIS EXPANSION WENT FROM 15 COWS TO 58.

IN 1955 MY FATHER PURCHASED THE FARM FROM MY GRANDFATHER VICTOR, PAID FOR THE FARM IN TEN YEARS AND IN 1967 HE WAS ABLE TO DOUBLE THE FARM BY ADDING ON ANOTH 125 FEET WHICH GAVE HIM A TOTAL OF 113 COWS.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHE WE ARE TODAY.

A LOT OF THE DAIRY FARMS ARE EXPANDING.

WE'RE NOT EXPANDING DIRECTLY IN TERMS OF KNOCKING OUT THE END OF THE BARN AND ADDING ON MORE COWS AND MILKING PARLORS.

MORE BUILDING, MORE CATTLE, MORE PEOPLE AND THAT BECOMES A RIDICULOUS PROCESS OF CHASING YOUR TAIL.

NAME OF THE GAME IS MORE MILK.

WE ARE GOING TO RUN WITH THE BULK TANK FULL.

WE'RE GOING TO SET THE FARM UP SO THAT THERE'S MILK IN THE TANK ALL THE TIME, FULL.

EVERY TWO DAYS IT'S FULL.

WILL THERE BE ANY MONEY LEFT OVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR FROM THAT PROCESS?

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT.

IT CAN'T GO ANY FURTHER AND I THINK THAT'S THE DIFFICULT RT THAT A LOT OF VERMONT DAIRY FARMERS ARE COMING TO IS THAT THE FARM IS LIMITED.

THEY'VE REACHED THEIR POINT OF MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY WITHOUT SPENDING MORE MONEY, THERE'S NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO.

>> THINGS CAN QUICKLY BECOME DESPERATE ECONOMIC TIMES FOR EVEN THE MOST RESOURCE FULL FARMERS.

THE BAG FULL OF MANAGEMENT TRICKS THAT ONES SAVED THE DAY ARE NO LONGER WORKING AND PRODUCERS ARE RESIGNING THEMSELVES TO AN INDEFINITE RUN OF TIGHT FINANCES.

BUT NOT ALL DAIRY FARMERS ARE WILLING TO KEEP GRINDING OUT A LIVING.

MORE AND MORE OF THEM ARE SIMPLY QUITTING.

>> FOR MANY YEARS WE MILKED JERSEYS AND DID QUITE WELL MILKING THEM, RAISED TWO KIDS AND SENT ONE TO COLLEGE.

LIVED FAIRLY COMFORTABLE ALTHOUGH AS TIME WENT ON AND THE PRICE OF MILK KEPT DROPPING LOWER AND LOWER, THE PRICE OF BUTTER FAT KEPT GOING DOWN, IT BECAME MORE DIFFICULT WITH EACH MONTH.

>> EVERY TIME WE'D COME OUT TO THE BARN WE'D REALIZE WE WERE LOSING MONEY, AND THE BILLS KEPT COMING IN.

WE WERE GETTING FARTHER AND FARTHER BEHIND ON OUR BILLS.

IT WAS AFFECTING OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.

WE WERE ALL UNDER A LOT OF FINANCIAL STRESS.

>> SO WE FINALLY DECIDED THAT WE'D HAD ENOUGH AND WE WERE GOING TO GO OUT OF THE DAIRY BUSINESS.

>> AND WITHIN A WEEK OF SAYING WE WERE GOING TO SELL THE COWS, WE FOUND A BUYER FOR THE HEARD.

WITHIN A MONTH FROM THAT TIME THE COWS WERE GONE.

>> WE SOLD THE WHOLE HEARD, CALVES, HEIFERS, BRED HEIFERS, COWS, EVERYTHING WENT TO IDAHO.

>> WITH THE BARN CLEARED OF ALL TRACES OF THEIR PAST LIFE, THE LIGHTS SET OFF ON A QUEST.

>> WENT CROSS-COUNTRY THROUGH RURAL AMERICA, TALKED TO FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SAW SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL PLACES OTHER THAN VERMONT BUT AFTER IT WAS ALL DONE AND FINISHED IT WAS STILL VERMONT THAT WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO STAY IN.

>> IT TOOK THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR, THE LOSS OF THEI LIVELIHOOD AND SOME DEEP SOUL SEARCHING, BUT THE LIGHTS EVENTUALLY CAME FULL CIRCLE.

>> WE DECIDED TO BUY A HEARD OF COWS HERE AND PUT THEM BACK ON MILKING HOLSTEINS NOW.

MILKING ABOUT 55 OF THEM, AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO TE IT FROM HERE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THE FACT OF LIFE IS IS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY ON THIS FARM WITHOUT MILKING COWS.

JUST BETWEEN THE MORTGAGE, AND INSURANCE AND TAXES, IT COSTS US $30,000 A YEAR TO STAY HERE, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE CAN DO HERE TO GENERATE THAT KIND OF INCOME.

>> THE LIGHTS RETURNED TO FARMING POINTS UP AN IRONIC BUT SIGNIFICANT COMMON THREAD AMONG SMALL VERMONT MILK PRODUCERS.

LIMITED CHOICES BREED COMMITMENT.

>> THERE'S NOT A LOT OF OPTIONS OF LEAVING FARMING AND GOING INTO OTHER CAREERS.

A LOT OF FARMERS ARE IN A SITUATION THEY CAN'T GET OUT FINANCIALLY, SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL CONTINUE ON AND HOPEFULLY TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER FOR YOU.

TO GET OUT IS TO BASICALLY WALK AWAY WITH NOTHING, AND AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS OF WORK, AND FRUSTRATION AND SWEAT, TO END UP AFTER 20, 30 YEARS OF FARMING WITH NOTHING IS VERY DEPRESSING AND FRUSTRATING.

SO THE THING TO DO SWELL, WE'VE GOT A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD, WE'VE GOT A JOB, WE MIGHT BE LOSING MONEY AND LOSING EQUITY ALL THE TIME IN WHAT WE HAVE, BUT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH OF AN OPTION BUT TO CONTINUE GOING.

>> ONE OPTION THE LIGHTS WILL NEVER HAVE IS TO SELL OFF THEIR LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.

LIKE MANY OTHER VERMONT FARMS, THAT RIGHT HAS ITSELF BEEN SOLD OR TRUSTED AWAY.

A PRACTICE THAT'S PROVEN TO BE A MIXED BLESSING FOR THE CURRENT OWNERS OF HOLLISTER HILL FARM.

>> WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS FARM IN 1983, THE WOMAN WHO HAD OWNED IT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS GOING TO STAY A FAMILY FARM, SO SHE PUT IT INTO A LAND TRUST.

THE LAND IS WORTH A LOT MORE FOR DEVELOPMENT THAN IT COULD EVER BE WORTH FOR ANYBODY TO PRODUCE FOOD ON THIS LAND.

BY PUTTING IT INTO A LAND TRUST, IT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO BUY IT AT A PRICE THAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD AFFORD TO OPERATE ON.

NOW HERE WE'RE FACED WITH A LAND TRUSTED FARM AND WONDERING WHAT THE VALUE IS GOING TO BE FOR SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS.

>> AS IN MOST FARM FAMILIES, THE PLACE AND WELL-BEING OF A SON HAS FIINGTD PROMINENTLY IN THE LIGHT'S DECISIONS.

LIKE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO RETURN TO FARMING.

>> 23 GREG DIDN'T WANT TO GET BACK INTO THE DAIRY BUSINESS, BOB AND I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.

>> FUNNY KIND OF A THING.

MY SON'S 28 YEARS OLD AND EXCEPT FOR GOING AWAY ON HIS HONEYMOON, WE HAVEN'T BEEN APART.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN WITH US, ALWAYS FARMED WITH US AND WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW HE WAS GOING TO FEEL WHEN WE GOT BACK.

WE CAME BACK AND LOW AND BEHOLD, HE WANTED TO MILK COWS AGAIN.

>> MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH IN OUR 50S NOW AND WE FIGURE MAYBE WE HAVE 10, 15 YEARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WILLING TO WORK PHYSICALLY HARD, AND IT'S GOING TO BE HIM THAT HAS TO CONTINUE THE FARM.

>> THE CONTINUATION OF A FARM THROUGH THE NEXT GENERATION USED TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, BUT TODAY SUCCES CAN BE THE MOST DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX QUESTION A FARM FAMILY EVER FACES.

IT'S 5:00 ON AOLD,TILL MOING IN CABOT, VERMONT.

THE TEMPERATURE HAS BOTTOMED OUT AT 33 DEGREES BELOW 0.

ARNOLD TEBBETTS IS ON HIS WAY TO WORK.

TEBBETTS' MEN HAVE BEEN GETTING UP THIS EARLY IN THESE CONDITIONS AND MUCH WORSE SINCE BEFORE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

>> I HEARD SOMEONE SAY IF IT'S IN YOUR BLOODY GUESS YOU DON'T GET RID OF IT VERY EASILY.

I HEARD ONE FARMER SAY IT'S THE CURSE YOU'RE BORN WITH THAT YOU CAN'T GET RID OF.

>> TEBBETTS HAS SPENT HIS ENTIRE LIFE HAPPEN PILLLY CURSED WITH FARMING.

>> IT'S MORE A HOBBY THAN AN OCCUPATION.

>> WHEN ITAS TIME TO TAKE OVER FROM HIS FATHER 30 YEARS AGO.

>> MY FATHER AND MOTHER JUST DEED THE FARM OVER AND TOOK OVER WHATEVER WAS ON THE BOOKS AT THE TIME, AND AGREED TOAY HIM SO MUCH A MONTH TO LIVE ON AS LONG AS HE LIVED WITH HIS SOCIAL SECURITY.

OF COURSE IT WAS MORE SIMPLE THEN THAN IT IS NOW.

>> THOSE WERE THE DAYS WHEN THE ECONOMICS OF A 50-COW FARM MEANT THE ABILITY TO OFFER YOUR CHILDREN OPTIONS.

>> TWO OF OUR SONS WENT TO COLLEGE, AND ANSON WAS INTERESTED IN BROADCASTING AND SO WE ENCOURAGED HIM TO GO.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO DO WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

IT'S UP TO THE CHILDREN TO DO WHAT THEY WT TO DO.

>> ANSON TEBBETTS MADE THE MOSTF HIS PAREN' PROGRESSIVENESS AND NOW FINDS HIMSELF FIRMLY STUCK ON THE HORNS OF AN OCCUPATIONAL DILEMMA THAT COULD ONLY HAPPENN VERMONT.

MOST OF THE DAY HE'S AN ACCOMPLISHED BROADCAST NEWS MAN, BUT FROM JUST BEFORE DAWN TILL MORNING CHORES ARE DONE HE'S STILL A FARMER.

HE'S STRADDLING TWO VERY DIFFERENT WORLDS AND CAN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM.

>> I LOVE BOTH MY LIVES.

I'M HAPPY ALL THE TIME I'M WITH THE COWS, AND I'M WAYS HAPPY WHEN I'M IN RADIO.

WORKING WITH DAD'S GREAT.

I CAN GO IN THERE, GET THE MILKING DONE, IT CAN GET HIS DAY OFF TO A GOOD START WHICH IS CRITICAL, THEN I CAN TRANSFORM INTO MY WORK IN RADIO, DO A GOOD 10-HOUR DAY HERE AND GO BACK TO THE FARM.

>> THERE IS A DOWN SIDE.

>> THE WORSE DAYS FOR MY 9 TO 5 JOB ARE WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL ON THE FARM AND I CAN'T BE THERE.

BOTH ARE BEING SACRIFICED AT THAT POINT.

>> HOW LONG THIS TAG TEAM FARMING ARRANGEMENT LASTS MAY DEPEND ON WHO BACKS OUT FIRST.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO STAY HERE AS LONG AND MILK COWS AS LONG AS I CAN, AND I KNOW MY FAMILY SACRIFICES THAT I CAN DO THAT, BUT IF IT GETS WHERE I CAN'T MILK COWS ANY LONGER AND IT HAS TO BE SOLD, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE ANY TOO BIG TRAGEDY.

>> I WOULD NOT LET THAT PLACE GO.

I WOULD CHOOSE FARMING BEFORE I'D LET THAT FARM WHICH HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE 1880, BEFORE THAT WOULD BE SOLD OR NOT FARMED, I WOULD MAKE THE CHOICE.

>> HE'S HAD HIS OCCUPATION AND I THINK THAT WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINTOW WHEREE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOM DECISIONS.

>> AT SOME POINT I'LL HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSU FROM MY FOLKS TO TAKE OVER THE FARM.

I THINK PROBABLY THE PRESSURE COMES FROM ME WANTING TO SEE IT SUCCEED AND CONTINUE ON.

I THINK I PROBABLY COULD WALK AWAY FROM MY FULL-TIME WORK AND BE JUST AS SATISFIED WITH GOINGACK TO THE FARM BECAUSE I DO LOVE IT.

>> FOR THE BOTHFELDS OF CABOT, PASSING THINGS ON IS AS LONG STANDING A FAMILY TRADITION AS COOPERATION.

IN FACT, THE TWO GO HAND IN HAND.

>> WE MOVED UP HERE, I WAS 10 YEARS OLD WHEN WE MOVED.

FATHER, HE COULDN'T HAVE RUN IT WITHOUT US.

US BOYS, THERE'S TWO OF US THAT STAYED HOME, AND WE ALL WORKED TOGETHER.

>> CONTINUITY HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A FARM'S CURRENT PATRIARCH.

WALTER BOTHFELD LEARNED FROM HIS OWN FATHER THAT YOU CAN'T RUSH CERTAIN THINGS.

>> HE JUST KEPT HANDING THINGS OVER.

WORKED INTO IT GRADUALLY.

I DON'T KNOW AS WE EVER DID MUCH REALLY PLANNING, THIS JUST KP FALLG INTO ACE.

LETS I S HOW FATHER HANDLED IT WITH US.

HE HAD TO LET GO, BUT STILL HE WANTED US TO HAVE THE FARM.

SO HE JUST KEPT MAKING IT SO WE COULD HAVE THE FARM.

EVERYTHING WAS SIGNED OVER TO US BEFORE HE DIED.

I HOPE TO LEAVE IT ABOUT THE SAME AS MY FATHEREFT IT FOR ME.

>> TO ENSURE AN ORDERLY SUCCESSION, THE EER BOTHFELD HAS ALREADY MADE HIS TWO SONS FULL LEGAL PARTNERS DESPITE HIS INTENTION TO KEEP WORKING INDEFINITELY.

>> I'M KIND OF BOWING OUT OF IT ALL THE TIME AN I HOPE MAYBE IN A FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE I GET DONE.

I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO THE BOYS TO DECIDE HOW THEY WANT T N IT.

>> BEFORE THIS PARTNERSHIP, THERE WAS ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP, MY FATHER, UNCLE AND GRANDFATHER.

SO IT'S MORE OR LESS A REPEAT OF WHAT WENT ON BEFORE.

WHAT'S GONE ON THE LAST FEW YEARS IS LITTLE BY LITTLE EACH ONE OF US HAS AN ASPECT OF THE FARM AND THAT'S WHAT WE TAKE CARE OF.

>> WELL, AS I SAY, I'M NOT A GREAT LOVER OF MILKING COWS.

I LIKE DOING MAINTENANCE, AND IF YOU LIKE DOING SOMETHING YOU USUAY DO BETTER AT IT.

THINGS GET DONE QUICKER.

>> MY ASPECT IS THE SHOP AND MECHANICAL.

IF PARTS NEED TO BE GOTTEN, ORDERED AND SO FORTH, IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE FIXED, THAT'S MY PART OF THE OPERATION AND HE LETS ME TAKE CARE OF IT.

IT'S PART OF THE SHIFTING E BURD, SO TO SAK, LITT BY LITTLE, AND I GUESS TT'S ONE WAY OF DOING IT.

OVERLE IS SLL THE BOSS, BUT HE'S LETTING MY BROTHER AND I TAKE OVER A LITTLE AT A TIME AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

HE DOES HIS PT, BE THERE LOOKING OVER THE SHOULDER JUST A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IN 1993 WALT BOTHFELD WAS NAME VERMONT FARMER OF THE YEAR.

IN HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HE FOCUSED ON FAMIL COERATN AS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.

HE COULD HAVE INCLUDED KNOWING HOW TO LET GO.

FOR A GENERATIONAL TRANSFER TO WORK, YOU NEED A SUCCESSOR WHO ENJOYS FARMING IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WHO'S GOOD AT IT.

HAROLD GIARD WAS BORN TO FARM.

>> IT'S A SENSIBLE LONGING.

YOU FIT IN HERE.

YOU DON'T WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND WISH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

YOU CAN'T STAY HERE AND WORK THIS HARD AND THIS LONG WITHOUT BEING SATISFIED IN WHAT YOU DO.

>> HE'S A GOOD FMER.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> LIKE HIS SON, WALTER GIARD LIVES AND BREATHES HIS INHERITED PROFESSION.

IN 35 YEARS OF FARMING, HE PUT 8 CHILDREN THROUGH COLLEGE AND MORE THAN DOUBLED HIS ORIGINAL ACREAGE.

HE DID IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

>> YOU WATCH YOUR PENNIES, YOU DIDN'T BUY ONE OF THESE UNTIL YOU HAD THE CASH TO PAY FOR IT.

YOU DIDN'T DO THINGS ON CREDIT, AND IT WAS STRICTLY CASH-TYPE THING.

SO IF YOU WANTED A PIECE OF LAND AND YOU KNEW IT WAS COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU STARTED SAVING YOUR DOLLARS SO YOU HAD THE CASH TO PUT DOWN WHEN YOU COULD GET AHOLD OF IT.

THAT'S THE WAY MY FATHER OPERATED AND THAT'S THE WAY I HAVE OPERATED.

TODAY'S DIFFERENT.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE BIG BUCKS.

>> TODAY THE GIARD FARM IS ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS, A LEGACY ANY FARMER WOULD BE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PASS ON TO HIS SON IF HE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER SON AND SIX DAUGHTERS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INTEST IN FARMING.

>> I'VE GOT 8 CHILDREN, SO YOU CAN'T PASS IT ALL DOWN TO ONE.

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO WANT A PIECE OF WHAT'S HERE AT SOME POINT.

THE CLASSIC SITUATION THAT HAPPENS IS THE OLDEST SON COMES HOME TO THE FARM, HE WORKS VERY HARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HOPING THAT AT SOME POINT DOWN THE ROAD THAT HE'S GIVEN SOMETHING OUT OF THE FARM.

IT ALSO FALLS IN HIS LAP TO GO TO HIS PARENTS AND SAY, CAN YOU HELP ME, CAN YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING, CAN YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME WHICH MEANS IF THEY GIVE YOU SOMETHING, SOMEBODY ELSE HAS GOT TO GET LESS.

>> IT'S HARD ON HAROLD AND HE KNOWS THAT'S WHAT HE'S WORKING UNDER.

HE KNOWS THAT THOSE ARE THE CONDITIONS AND THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT OR I CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> MY PARENTS AREN'T TAKING ANY STEPS TO SEE THAT THE FARM IS PASSED ON TO ME CHT THERE'S NO WILL, THERE'S NO ESTATE PLANNING, THERE'S NOTHING AND THAT'S DIFFICULT.

I'VE INVEST THE APPROXIMATELY 68,000 HOURS OF WORKING HERE, AND IN T 9 YEARS THAT I'VE RUN THE FARM, I FOUND OUT I CAN'T PAY FOR IT.

SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME?

OF COURSE AT SOME POINT IT'S GOING TO LEAVE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH A COUPLE OF SUITCASESND AN INHERIT TENSE CHECK.

THE TYPICAL, CLASSIC SCENARIO AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT.

>> HAROLD GIARD IS ANACHRONISM.

AT A TIME WHEN A GENERATION OF FM OFF SPLING ARE QUESTIONING THEIR VOE KAINGTS, HE'S NEVER HAD A DOT ABOUT HIS.

YET HIS REWARD IS LIKEL INCLUDE A NOTICE TO VACATE THE PREMISES.

>> THERE'S THAT HOPE THAT THIS ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME, THAT SOMEWHERE SOMEBODY'S GOING TO REALIZE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LIVE FOREVER AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ONE THAT STAYED HOME ON THE FARM.

>> I WAS HELPING MY FATHER WITH FIELD WORK AS A YOUNG KID.

WE WERE PICKING STONE AND HE WAS TEACHING ME HOW TO DRIVE THE TRACTOR.

IT WAS JUST A GOOD MORY, AND SOMETHING THAT KIND OF MADE ME THINK THAT ONE DAY I'D LIKE TO TEACH MY OWN KIDS HOW TO OPERATE TRACTORS.

>> GRANT NELSON GREW UP KNOWING THAT IF AND WHEN HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE HIS FAMILY'S 200 YEAR TRADITI OF FARMING, HE COULD COUNT ON IT BECAUSE ON THIS FARM, INR I TENSE IS BASED ON WHO CONTRIBUTES.

>> I FEEL THE KIDS WHO WORK WITH THEIR PARENTS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WOULD HAVE THE LEG UP ON EVERYBODY ELSE AS FAR AS ACQUIRING THE FARM.

GRANT OR ANDREW FOR EXAMPLE, IF BOTH OF THEM WERE INTERESTED IN OWNING THE FARM, ONE WAY ORNOTHER THEY WOULD OWN THEARM WHEN I DIED.

>> FARM ECONOMI DEMAND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE ENTIRE FAMILY, AND THE PRESSURE EVEN AFFECTSSTATE PLANNING >> IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS OF AN ESTATE, THE DIVISION WOULD BE HUGELY IN FAVOR OF KIDS WHO HELPED US FARM BECAUSE YOU CAN'T REALLY COMPENSATE THEM ADEQUATELY FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

NOT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS.

IF YOU'RE COMPARING IT TO WHAT INDUSTRIAL PAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE, THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN COMPENSATE A CHILD WHO HAS ALLOWED YOU THE PRIVILEGE OF NOT HAVING TO HIRE AN EXTRA MAN OR LIKE THAT.

THESE CHILDREN PUT YOU IN A POSITION THAT YOU CAN FARM LONGER.

THEY'VE ALLOWED THE PARENTS TO SUSTAIN THE BUSINESS IN WAYS THAT THE NONFARMING CHILDREN HAVE NEVER.

>> MY PARENTS MADE MY CAREER CHOICE EASIER BY ALWAYS LETTING ME KNOW THERE WOULD BE A PLACE FOR ME ON HOME ACRES FARM.

>> HAVING RECENTLY EARNED AN AGRICULTURAL DEGREE, GRANT SEEMS THE MOST LIKELY NELSON TO EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER FROM BILL.

>> I DON'T REALLY FEEL OBLIGATED TO STAY IN RYEGATE CORNER AND FARM.

THAT'S MY CHOICE.

THERE'S KIND OF A HIDDEN PRESSURE THAT I PUT UPON MYSELF TO STAY HOME AND MAKE THE FARM WORK.

>> KNOWING YOUR SUCCESSOR CAN BE AS DIFFICULT AS IT IS COMFORTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING AS EMOTIONALLY LOADED AS THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY FARM.

WHEN PARENTS' HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS PLAY OFF THEIR SUCCESSOR'S SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF DETERMINATION, SPARKS ARE BOUND TO FLY.

>> WE'RE VERY OPEN, MY FATHER AND MELF, AS FAR AS OUR FEELINGS.

WE TEND TO CLASH ONCE IN A WHILE.

I'VE BROUGHT A LOT OF NEW IDEAS BACK TO THE FARM FROM SCHOOL, AN MY FATHER'S RESPONSE IS WHEN THE MILK PRICE GOES UP MAYBE 'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

>> BILL KNOWS THAT HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY NEW THINGS WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE, BUT FINANCIALLY I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

>> THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE SEN TIRLLY DIFFERENT.

THAT'S A LITTLE HARD FOR GRANT TO UNDERSTAND.

IT PROBABLY WOULD BE FOR ME TOO IF I WAS IN HIS SHOES.

>> I GUESS I CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH WHAT HE'S SAYING, BUT I STILL THINK THAT IN ORDER TO BE A PROGRESSIVE DAIRY FARMER, YOU HAVE TO KIND OF MOVE FORWARD EVEN WHEN THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS THE GREATEST.

>> GRANT NEEDS TO DO SOME MORE GROWING UP, BUT WE HAVE TO BE REAL CAREFUL NOT TO STIFLE HIM AND ENCOURAGE HIM.

I GUESS I FEEL LIKE MY ROLE RIGHT NOW IS LIKE A MEDIATOR TRYING TO HELP THEM WORK TOGETH TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> EVEN MORE COMPLEX THAN THE ROLE OF SUCCESSOR IS THAT OF FARM WIFE.

BEING A FAMILY MEDIATOR IS JUST ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GO INTO THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

>> FARM WIFE IS A VERY GOOD JOB TITLE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I ALWAYS PUT ON ANY FORM I HAVE TO FILL OUT, AND I FIGURE THAT'S MORE THAN ONE FULL-TIME JOB RIGHT THERE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES EVERYTHING LANDS RIGHT ON THE FARM WIFE ALL AT ONCE.

THEY HAVE AN AWFUL BURDEN TO BARE IF THEY AREN'T CAREFUL.

>> BESES THE USUAL SLAT OF DARRYL DAILY TASK THAT BEE FALL ANY MOTHER OF 4, SHE MANAGES TO FIT MILKIN AND POLITICAL ORGANIZING INTO T SAME SCHEDULE.

>> I WAS TRAINED TO BE A TEACHER AND COMMUCATOR.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS PLENTY OF CHANCE TO TALK.

>> USED TO BE IF I JUST WENT AND TOLD PEOPLE THEY BETTER DRINK ONE MORE GLASS OF MILK, I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING TO HELP THE FARM.

I SEE TOO MANY THINGS THAT AFFECT US THAT WE CAN'T CHANGE RIGHT HERE AT THE FARM.

>> SENATOR LEAHY, BEFORE YOU CAME WE TALKED QUITE A BIT ABOUT G.A.T.T.. AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO TAKE THE LEAD AND CONTROL OUR OWN SUPPLY --.

>> I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE THRUST INTO THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCENE AND TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN LOBBYING, AND PROMOTING AGRICULTURE ANY WAY I CAN SEE TO DO IT, AND BILL, SOMETIMES HE'D PROBABLY LIKE ME HOME TO FIX HIM HIS LUNCH.

USUALLY HE IS PRETTY GOOD ABOUT LETTING ME TAKE TO THE ROAD.

AND THEN WHAT I DO IS WHEN I COMEOME FROM A MEETING I CAN SHARE WITH HIM WHAT'S GONE ON.

>> THE DEMANDS OF FARMING MAKE A FARM WIFE'S EXTRACURRILAR SCHEDULE A DELICATE BALANCING ACT.

LODSING THAT BALANCE CAN CAUSE STRESS.

JENNY'S ACTIVE LIFE OFF THE FARM RECENTLY BROUGHT THE ISSUE INTO FOCUS.

>> I'VE BEEN SUBSTITUTING OFF AND ON FOR PROBABLY 3 OR 4 YEARS.

WHEN THEY CALLED UP AND SAID COULD I COME IN FOR A MONTH, IT SEEMED LIKE KIND OF A NEAT THING TO DO AND A CHALLENGE.

SO I ASSURED BILL IT WOULD ONLY BE A MONTH AND COULD HE POSSIBLY MANAGE WITHOUT ME FOR A MONTH.

OF COURSE WHAT HAPPENED WAS IT WENT TO CHRISTMAS, AND THEN AFTER CHRISTMAS IT WENT TO THE END OF THE MARKING PERIOD.

SO I WAS PUTTING MORE AND MORE OF MY RESPONSIBILITY ON TO BILL.

I GUESS THE ONLY THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS LEAVING THE FARM AND BILL BEHIND AND KNOWING THAT I'M NOT THERE FOR RUNNING ERRANDS, FIXING HIS BREAKFAST FOR HIM.

THE THINGS THAT HE KIND OF COUNTED ON ME TO DO JUST TO BE JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT.

>> I CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE QUITE SO QUICKLY THAT WAY.

IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE TO START TRYING TO GET FANCY WITH THE COOKING EITHER.

SO IT'S TOLERABLE.

WE'D RATHER HAVE HER HERE.

>> THE TEACHING IS SATISFYING BOTH BECAUSE I HAVE A PAYCHECK NOW AND ALSO BECAUSE I'VE GOTTEN BACK INTO SOMETHING THAT'S KIND OF BEEN IN MY HEART ALL ALONG.

I WAS EDUCATED TO BE A 250E67ER.

>> IT BOTHERS ME A LITTLE BIT THAT SHE FEELS THAT SHE HAS TO DO IT BECAUSE WE NEED THE MONEY.

I WOULD MUCH PREFER OUR FARM DO WELL ENOUGH SO SHE DIDN'T FEEL COMPELLED TO HAVE TO DO THAT, OR FEEL THE PRESSURE TO HAVE TO EARN MONEY OUTSIDE THE FARM.

IF SHE JUST FELT THAT SHE WOULD FEEL MORE FULFILLED TO DO IT, THEN THAT'S DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW.

>> IT'S KIND OF A HARD SITUATION.

HE'S WILLING TO WORK EVEN HARDER TO SEE ME COME IN EVEN THOUGH I DON'T THINK HE TOTALLY APPRECIATES THE FACT THAT I TOOK THE JOB.

HE WOULD RATHER HAVE ME AT HO.

>> A FEW MONTHS AFTER TAKING THE TEMPORARY TEACHING JOB JENNY WAS OFFERED A FULL-TIME POSITION.

SHE DECLINED.

>> YOU HAVE TO PICK YOUR MOMENTS WHEN YOU'VE GOT THE TIME AND THE ENERGY TO DEVOTE TO SOMETHING, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO TRY TO BE A FARM WIFE AND WORK OFF THE FARM TOO.

EVERYTHING IS A PRIORITY.

KEEPING EVERYTHING ON AN EVEN KEEL AT THE FARM SEEMS TO BE PROBABLY MY BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITY.

TO BE THERE FOR THE KIDS, TO SPOT MILK FOR BILL WHEN HE NEEDS ME, RUN FOR PARTS, TAKE CARE OF PAYING THE BILLS AND I JUST CAN'T DO IT ALL.

I WAS TRYING TO.

>> FARM FAMILIES ARE CONSTANTLY SURROUNDED BY THRAJOR SOURCE OF STSS, A DIFFICULT LIVELIHOOD.

IT'S A COST THEY PARB NTLY ENDURE, BUT PATIENCE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN ACCEPTANCE.

>> EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT FARMING AS A WAY OF LIFE.

YOUAN'T SIMPLY LIVE OFF OF A WAY OF LIFE.

IT'S JUST A CHRONIC, LONG-TERM STRUGGLE IN AGRICULTURE WHERE THERE AREN'T NEARLY AS MANY GOOD YEARS AS THERE ARE BAD YEARS OR MEDIOCRE YEARS, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS ON THE MARGIN.

I GUESS YOU'RE ALWAYS ON THE EDGE.

>> YOU BLAME IT ON YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE INCOMPETENT.

IF YOU WOULD JUST WORK HARDER.

IF YOU WERE MORE INTELLIGENT.

IF YOU WOULD GET UP EARLIER, STAY THERE LATER.

SOMEHOW YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL AT THIS AND BE ABLE TO STAND UP AND HAVE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.

>> THIS BUSINESS OF ALMOST ALWA BEING OVERWORKD IS SOMETHING THAT NOT TOO MANY OTHER ENTERPRISES, OR BUSINESSES OR INDUSTRIES DEAL WITH.

>> 5:30 IN THE MORNING UNTIL 8:30 IN THE EVENING, THAT'S NORMAL.

THAT'S THE NORMAL OW OF THINGS.

THERE'S NO WEEKENDS OFF SO THERE'S NO CONFLICT OF WHY ARE YOU WORKING ON SATURDAY, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO THE OFFICE ON SUNDAY.

THERE'S NONE OF THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU'RE G TO BE THERE.

THE STRESS COMES FROM KNOWING THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD BE OFFERING OU DAUGHTER SOMETHING MORE, MORE CULTURE, BEING ABLE TO SHOW HER SOMETHING ELSE.

THERE'S MORE TO THE WORLD THAN WHAT I DO RIGHT HERE.

>> THERE'S NO FREE TIME.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT SOMEPLACE AT 6:00 TO TALK TO DAUGHTER'S TEACHER, AND 5:15 YOU'RE STILL BALING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BAILER BREAKS AN YOU'VE GOT TO CHASE FOR A PART.

THAT'S A CONSTANT, REPETITIVE THEME.

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO THE THINGS THAT MOST NORMAL PEOPLE DO?

>> FARMING IS A TOUGH THING TO GET AWAY FROM, EVEN FOR PART OF A DAY.

I THINK THAT'S WHY IT'S HARD FOR SOME FARMERS TO TAKE VACATIONS, BECSE THEY KNOW IN THE BACK OF THE MIND THEY AREN'T LEAVING IT MAYBE IN AS CAPABLE HANDS AS TH'D LIKE TO WHEN THEY'RE GONE.

THEY WORRY ABOUT ALL OF THE WORK THEY'VE GOT TO DO WHEN THEY GET BACK.

THEY WONDER IF IT WAS WORTH IT TO TAKE THE TIME OFF TO BEGIN WITH.

>> NOT ALL THE STRESS OF FARMING COMES FROM THE WORK ITSELF.

AS ACCUSTOMED AS THEY BECOME TO HARD LABOR, SOME FARMERS ARE TROUBLED BY WHAT THE OUTSIDE WORLD THINKS OF THEM.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY QUITE GET IT BASICALLY.

THEY ENJOY THE VISITS, HOW PRETTY IT IS HERE AND SEEING THE ANIMALS AND WATCHING US MILK, BUT THEY AREN'T EXPOSED TO IT LONG ENOUGH TO REALLY DEVELOP A REAL FEEL FOR WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.

>> YOU'RE NOT UNDERSTOOD.

THERE'S NOBODY ROOTING, THERE'S NOBODY SLAPING YOU ON THE BACK TELLING YOU THAT YOU DID A GOOD JOB, THEY TAKE THE MILK AN THEY LEAVE.

IT'S THIS IDEA THAT WE PUT THE MILK ON THE TRUCK AN YOU'RE DAMN LUCKY WE TOOK IT.

>> PEOPLE LOVE TO LOOK AT THE FARMS, AND I TNK REMOTELY THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT THEY'RE TOOUSY.

THEIR LIVES ARE SO DIFFERENT.

>> WHO WOULD WORK THIS HARD FOR SO LITTLE MONEY?

NOT MOST AMERICANS, YET THOUSANDS OF VERMONT FARMS ARE NOT OY WILLING BUT DEDICATED TORODUCING OUR FOOD, QUIETLY, EXPERTLY, AGAINST EVER WORSENING PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL ODDS.

ARE THEY FOOLS OR ARE THEY KEEPERS OF A DEEPER VALUE MOST OF US CAN ONLY GIVE LIP SERVICE?

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED ON A SEVEN-GENERATION DAIRY FARM IN RYEGATE, VERMONT.

I BELIEVE THAT I WAS INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO BE RAISED ON A FARM.

>> HANNAH'S RECENT COLLEGE TERM PAPER OFFERS SIMPLE EVIDENCE OF A DEEP ROOTED SPIRIT THAT AIMS TO OUTLAST THE VAGARIES OF ECONOMIC CURRENT.

>> FARMERS HAVE A TREMENDOUS WORK ETHIC.

MY FATHER GETS UP BEFORE 6:00 EVERY MORNING AND WORKS UNTIL 9 OR 10:00 AT NIGHT.

MY PARENTS DO NOT HAVE VACATIONS SICK DAYS.

THE B OF FARMING LASTS 365 DAYS A YEAR AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT.

>>'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE'RE DEDICATED ENOUGH TO THE CAUSE TO KEEP AT IT, AND THAT BILL IS WILLING TO WORK AS HARD AS HE DOES TO PROVIDE FOR US.

>> FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EXPERIENCING A FARM CRISIS AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO HOLD ON TO THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEVOTING THEIR LIVES TO PRODUCING A QUALITY PRODUCT AND AN ABUNDANCE OF FOOD FOR OUR FINE NATION CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY GROCERIES.

>> FARMERS WORK REAL HARD.

IN FACT, THEY'RE PROBABLY THE MOST HONEST, HARD WORKING GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE ANYWHERE ON EARTH, AND I THINK THAT IT'S TOTALLY UNFAIR FOR FARMERS TO BE USED THAT WAY.

>> THE FARM CRISIS CAUSES DEEP SFRUS STRASS.

MANY FEEL A LOSS OF IDENTITY WHEN THEIR FARMS ARE SOLD.

FARMS HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION AND THEIR LOSS IS FELT BY THOSE AFFECTED AS A VIRTUAL BEE TRAIL OF THEIR HERITAGE, DESTROYING THEIR SENSE OF IDENTITY.

OO I'M GOING TO BEAT THIS.

AGAINST ALL THE ODDS I'M GOING TO BEAT THIS.

IT WOULD BE EASY TO QUIT.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO SAY I'M OUT OF HERE, I'M DONE.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT UP WITH THIS HASSLE, THIS FRUSTRATION.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE.

I CAN'T DO THAT.

I CAN'T WALK AWAY.

I WANT TO WIN.

OO EAVES RAISED TO BE A FARMER, WENT TO COLLEGE TO BE A FARMER AND A FARMER IS WHAT MY FATHER WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH TO BE.

I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE THE AFFECTS THAT LEAVING MY FATHER'S SEVEN-GENERATION FAMILY FARM WOULD HAVE HAD ON HIM.

I HIGHLY REVEER THE STRENGTH OF MY PARENTS, MY FOREFATHERS AND ALL THE FARMERS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> (PRAYING).

>> FARMING IS A WAY OF LE FOR MY FAMILY.

THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE I KNOW.