A Farm Story

The portrait of a farm boy's childhood in Waushara County, Wisconsin is told through his personal memories and photos from the community. Apps evokes memories of a time when almost as many Americans lived on farms as in cities, and examines day-to-day rural life. Fieldwork was done with horses, cows were milked by hand, lanterns were the source of light, and community was essential for survival.

[@lumifish2394]

What a storyteller, what a man. I would have loved to have been a part of that era. Wish we could go back to that sense of community and togetherness. I have always thought that we become more distant to each other the more tecnology and convenience we add to our lifes. Thank you so much, Jerry Apps for sharing all of these beautiful memories of your life.

[@Jim_CSI]

Thank you Jerry, what a storyteller!

[@trevorwilliams3271]

I could watch these all day my grandpa would tell me stories like this as we would swing under the most beautiful shade tree oh how I miss him and the stories he would tell thank you for the stories you tell what great stories you have to share I wish I could find more stories like this

[@tooldiebum]

VERY HUMBLING STORY THANKS FOR SHARING

[@dairyfarmmidwest1615]

I grew up similar to you in 60s on small dairy farm still wear bib overalls

[@danieldavid9194]

This was a video that I thought maybe, "I'll watch a few minutes to see what it is Like". What pleasant surprise! Thank you so much for providing and posting this video. You could tell that the story teller came from good, "Stock".

[@freetimecrawler]

My dad is gone now, also born in 34. Jerry reminds me so much of my dad. Oh how I miss him and his stories.

[@TimKrenz-j8t]

What a wonderful story about those Old Day's !!!!! You just brought back MEMORIES FROM 45-50 YEARS AGO WHEN MY GRANDPARENTS WERE ALIVE AND TOLD OF THE STORY'S OF WHEN THEY GREW UP ❤❤❤😊

[@bruceprentice6441]

My folks were born mom in 1916 dad in 1918, and my childhood wasn’t very much different than this story in so many ways. We milked cows by hand and separated cream , fed hogs, had laying hens, and got baby chicks just the same way. Always butchered at home, grew big garden, and mother canned fruit, and vegetables. We heated the house with wood, and made Maple syrup in the spring. There was 5 of us kids, and I am the youngest, and the only one to strike out and start my own dairy farm. It’s not a life for everyone, but it’s a beautiful life for a kid.

[@Kavalino]

This was just great. Thanx :-)

[@janemann3045]

His life sounds much mine when I was growing up.Wish life was that way now,kids would sure be different.Love his stories

[@jtx-tube]

Thank you for this farm story, it was very interesting and enjoyable to listen and watch!

[@swamprat69er]

We didn't get electricity on the farm until the 1950s, still got our water from the cistern and hauled it in by hand. The outhouse was a cold place in winter. It was into the 70s before the outhouse was done away with and moved inside. Bath night was in a wash tub in the kitchen with the hot water coming from the top of the stove. This was outside of Hamilton, Ontario. We were a lot healthier then than we are now.

[@minnesotalakes2062]

A rich story about life gone by ~ These stories sound identical to the ones my Mother tells from the farm in the early 1940's in Minnesota. The house with no insulation, how in winter a glass of water would become ice by morning. She tells of the "wishbone tree", used for butchering the chickens. And THRESHING, THRESHING, THRESHING.....

[@TrostOutdoors]

Hi Michele, Since you deleted your comment I assume you figured out what state it was but just in case you didn't, it's Waushara County, Wisconsin.....I also added it to the description.

[@minnesotalakes2062]

Trost Outdoors ~thank you. Yup, I figured it out . 😊

[@davidkimmel4216]

The Memories. Oh the Memories. Thank You for sharing your memories. Loved this Video. Wonderful Memories 😊😊😊

[@RickFriesen-ux1nj]

I was 8 when my grandpa introduced me to dairy farming great experience I’ll never forget it

[@lukemorley7481]

Wonderful video wonderful to hear it , It was like that in Ireland in the sixties,God bless All

[@janal2000]

Goodness, I so enjoyed these videos. I grew up on farm in east central Illinois in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. This brought back so many wonderful memories. I loved those childhood days. Thanks for the memories.

[@525Lines]

Their depression generated a lot more colorful stories than our does.

[@craigking3179]

This was absolutely mesmerizing and inspiring! What a gift this must be to your family! Thank you!

[@lindabridgers9640]

what a great story and a wonderful story teller thanks

[@ronnyvonallmen6892]

Oh how we will miss this Generation….

[@buildmotosykletist1987]

I know those stories. Different stock, different crops, different climate, different time, even a different country, but same stories. Brought a smile to my face and moistened my eye.

[@clarencegingerich9949]

Bless this man Such a beautiful story

[@CheapDutchman]

Great stories by a wonderful story teller. This and the "Winter Farm Story" help explain an important part of the American story and why earlier generations of my family became who they did. Thanks for sharing.

[@wendyamericana4829]

Reminds me of my grandmother

[@goobermcgilicuty3754]

If I had to point any fault in the 40s was this bizarre reverence for FDR...These programs were built by the people and PAID for by the people, why he and others give him credit is so wrong!!!!

[@jj-eo7bj]

Why do you say these things FDR saved people from starving !!....this up sets me my parents would have starved to death if not for FDR

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thank You.

[@harlanbarnhart4656]

Its easy to romanticize a life from the land when you are distant from it. The reality is when you are economically next to the land, it just means the rest of civilization is resting on you. Costs cannot be passed on because you are the last station. It takes a lot of humility. When your survival depends on rain and it doesn't come, there is no one to bail you out. I know. I lived it. Few have the humility and resilience to make it work. There is a big difference between lifestyle farming and farming because you have no better options.

[@rawbacon]

*Great Storyteller*

[@edherwick1410]

Yep

[@rebeccachambers419]

Going was the human connection. Sad.

[@benteross2677]

Thankyou for sharing.

[@freebirdrox7330]

Thank you for sharing

[@jj-eo7bj]

Those were good times then