Jeromesville honors Civil War heroes at heritage tree dedication
As part of the America 250-Ohio celebration, Jeromesville dedicated a native white oak tree to its history. In this column, the keynote speaker shares the moving stories and letters of three local Civil War brothers who left their Ashland County farm to fight for the Union.
Growing up on the farm meant no time for boredom
From building straw tunnels to diving into the farm pond, Judith Sutherland refelcts on her rural childhood where summer meant a mix of hard work and ultimate freedom. Unlike "townie" friends who faced afternoon boredom, farm life ensured there was never a single precious moment wasted.
Earned wisdom: Learning when it is time to let go
Life is full of challenging situations, but finding peace requires surrendering our illusions of control. From laughing at life's craziness to retreating to the barn for a dose of fresh perspective, explore these heartfelt reflections on learning how to travel light.
Part four: The water game is different for Western farmers
Moving from Jeromesville, Ohio, to Utah changed Jordan Martin’s view on agriculture. From relying on mountain snowfall to managing strict water shares amidst urban sprawl and neighborhood scrutiny, this Ohio-born rancher opens up about the realities of western desert farming.
Part four: Ralph’s father proposes a compromise on the water battle
In the early 1900s, drought pushed Colorado ranchers to the brink of a violent water war. Drawing from Ralph Moody’s autobiographical book "Little Britches," this article explores how his father, Charlie, proposed a peaceful 80% compromise that saved both crops and lives on the range.
Part Three: The water war begins
In Part 3 of this series exploring Ralph Moody’s classic "Little Britches," a 1906 Colorado drought triggers a dangerous "water war." When upstream ranchers hog the vital irrigation supply, the Moody family must take a perilous late-night stand to save their newly planted crops.
Part Two: Becoming a ‘working man’
Step back into the early 1900s with the heartwarming and humorous lessons of Ralph Moody's "Little Britches." From outsmarting cattle on a clever horse named Fanny to the immense pride of earning his very first quarter, explore the timeless spirit of becoming a young working man.
Building character — one awful farm chore at a time
From scrubbing pipelines to bucket-breaking rodeo calves, farm chores were never just work. They were character building, at least that's what columnist Judith Sutherland's dad said.
The thrill of the Kentucky Derby
Judith Sutherland recounts the historic Derby win by Golden Tempo and Cherie DeVaux, the first female trainer to take the roses in a stunning 23-1 upset.
Finale: Be a good steward to the land
From a life-saving goat to purchasing the dream dairy farm, explore a story of hand-milking, hard work, and the neighbors who helped a family legacy grow.
