My neighbors raise pigs and have done so for decades. They spread swine, cattle, and other manure on the field next to my house. Sometimes it’s a bit smelly. But I live in the country, and I realize that’s what people do.

Yet, too often new neighbors don’t understand country life when they move out to the country. They have an idealistic view of farming, they don’t think farmers should have farms that livestock sometimes rambles lose, or that manure gives the air a distinctive smell. They don’t understand why people have junk cars, burn trash, or ride their quads and make lots of noise.

They’re farmers, and that what they do. They make things of the natural world, and repair what they can. Many can not afford to live with all the latest high-tech gadgets, and instead must repair what they currently own. These people consume less, and are more conscience of their impact on nature then most of the rest of us. So where exactly did your turkey come from? Where did the cellophane it sat in go to?

Our local farmers, even if there farmyards are disorganized and smelly, are a low-impact way of both feeding themselves and feeding their community. If you don’t like the way that they farm, then don’t move next to them. There are many great neighborhoods in our cities, that are crying out for new residents, where you can live with a lower impact, and not be annoyed by the inconveniences of living next to a farm.

People eat pork, so people raise pork. People like animals, so people raise animals. People like to farm, so they farm. That’s how life goes, and people who choose to live the farm life, should not be harassed by neighbors, especially those who have chosen to move into recent subdivisions. Many farmers have lived on their land their whole life, and have done so sustainability and in harmony with nature.