How to be a Good Neighbor in the Country

Source

One of the goals of this blog is to offer support and information to other farmers and would-be farmers.  To that end, I thought a brief little note, for those looking to live in the country, would be entertaining and informational!

So, without further ado, here are some suggestions to help you be a good neighbor in the country:

1.  Unless you actually have moved next to public property, don't treat your neighbor's acreage like it's the BLM.  Specifically, I'm sure you're excited that your dog can enjoy more room to roam than he had in town, but your neighbor's pasture doesn't count as that.  Keep your critters on your own property, please.

2.  If you have a complaint about your neighbor and what he's doing, say something - to your neighbor!  Before you complain to the powers that be, trot on over next door and introduce yourself.  While you're there, you could mention that your neighbor's dog is using your front yard for the lav, or his cows are eating your prize Begonias.  Generally speaking, folks in the country want to get along and they'd always love to hear from you first before you make your complaint formal.

3.  If you have questions or want help, ask.  Country folk love to talk about their lifestyle - and they can save you a lot of trouble if you just ask.  They're not the kind of people, normally, who will tell you that the contraption you built for your chickens is a dinner invitation to the neighborhood skunks, but if you ask them for advice, you'll get a ton of great wisdom...and maybe even a cup of coffee or a meal in the process!

4.  I didn't know this one until my husband and I married.  In fact, on the contrary, I thought I was being polite by showing interest in the herd of every rancher I met.  However, my husband tells me it's rude to ask a rancher how many head of cattle he has.  It'd be like asking how much money someone has in the bank.

5.  You moved out to the country because you preferred it to the city - so don't try to citify the neighborhood when you get here.  Leave the speed limits alone and, definitely leave the zoning alone.  If you didn't want to live next to a pig farmer, you should have stayed in town.