A farmer’s work is never really done, so it seems. From planting, to early picking, and then a later fall harvest, there’s more than enough to do, even when there are enough hands to help during the growing season.
The process was challenged often during wartime, when many local helping hands were off to war in 1944. Where to look for help to get the work done? Some resourceful organizations were helping to solve this labor problem for northern Otsego County farmers, and around the nation.
The seeds had gotten planted that spring, and along came round one. As the Freeman’s Journal of July 19 reported, “The Cooperstown Farm Labor Camp opened Saturday with the first group of thirty-two women from the New York City area registering to help with the farm work in this region. The camp is located in the Otesaga dormitory on Nelson avenue.
“The group consists of people from a variety of occupations who are helping to save food by volunteering for agricultural work in their vacations.
“In the group are a teacher, a draftswoman, two dressmakers, two clerks, two Spanish translators, several stenographers, typists and secretaries and half a dozen students. These enthusiastic members of the Women’s Land Army corps range from sixteen to forty years of age. Under the guidance of the camp managers, Miss Julia Morey, and Miss Doris Bliss, the group has organized itself to promote living happily together in the camp and to increase its service to the food production project.”
The majority of these women could contribute a two-week period, but others could go up to as many as eight weeks. Others could rotate in and out of the summer season. Several camps like these were found across our four-county area.
These women did their job, and did it well, as the Otsego Farmer of Sept. 8 reported, “The Cooperstown Farm Labor Camp closed September 5th after a busy, successful season. During the summer, 231 women and girls lived at the camp for varying periods of time.
“The total amount of work accomplished by the camp is the important issue. During approximately seven weeks of work, 9,943 bushels of beans and 962 quarts of berries have been harvested. One thousand three hours of work have been contributed to harvesting corn and cucumbers, and to weeding.
“The Farm Cadet Victory corps award, given for twenty days of work on farms, and the Women’s Land Army insignia given for twenty-four days’ work have been presented to campers at several different times. Forty-eight campers have received both awards and six more have received the Farm Cadet Victory corps award.
However, there was one more hurdle to cross, but these women were no longer available, with summer vacations over and students going back to school. The final harvest awaited. What was a farmer to do?
Readers of the Otsego Farmer found out on Sept. 8, “George Hinds, chairman of the Agricultural Defense committee of Otsego county, announced Wednesday that a declaration of emergency has been made whereby pupils from Otsego county schools may be released to assist in the emergency harvesting of crops.
“This was made in accordance with regulations of the Board of Regents of the New York State Education department. Pupils may be released for the harvesting of grain, corn, commercial vegetables, including beans, cabbage, potatoes and cauliflower; and if the emergency exists, boys of over sixteen years of age may help in milk plants.
“All boys and girls over fourteen years of age may help in the harvesting of crops. Minors, fifteen or fourteen years of age, if employed in farm service by others than their parents, guardian or custodians, are required to obtain a farm work permit.”
This wasn’t only for school students, those of any age with spare time were encouraged to help in the harvest. One way or another, the work got done.
On Wednesday, we’ll look at our region’s busy life and times during October 1989.