Productivity, efficiency, stamina
Harold Rolfsrud (center of right photo) explained to relatives attending this weekend's reunion that homesteading was difficult. True, the government would give free land, but there were plenty of strings attached. If, like our grandparents, you had no money, one of the ways to get a quarter section of land was to claim it and then live on it for a certain number of years. During that period, one of the requirements might be that you would have to break up or plow and use a minimum of 12 acres of land. The requirements, coupled with the fierce climate, difficult conditions and isolation drove many away. The population of North Dakota is smaller today than it was early in the century when our grandparents were there, even when you take the booming Fargo into account. Rolfsruds may be hard workers, stubborn, lucky, courageous, the fittest or whatever, but they have survived on this land. Twelve acres of tillage defeated some, but today, equipment like the tractor with Kathleen in the top photo can lay fallow 12 acres in a few minutes. Grains are shipped to market in 18 wheelers, not tiny horse-drawn wagons dependent on rail centers. FYI: There are no chickens on the Rolfsrud Ranch.
Harold Rolfsrud (center of right photo) explained to relatives attending this weekend's reunion that homesteading was difficult. True, the government would give free land, but there were plenty of strings attached. If, like our grandparents, you had no money, one of the ways to get a quarter section of land was to claim it and then live on it for a certain number of years. During that period, one of the requirements might be that you would have to break up or plow and use a minimum of 12 acres of land. The requirements, coupled with the fierce climate, difficult conditions and isolation drove many away. The population of North Dakota is smaller today than it was early in the century when our grandparents were there, even when you take the booming Fargo into account. Rolfsruds may be hard workers, stubborn, lucky, courageous, the fittest or whatever, but they have survived on this land. Twelve acres of tillage defeated some, but today, equipment like the tractor with Kathleen in the top photo can lay fallow 12 acres in a few minutes. Grains are shipped to market in 18 wheelers, not tiny horse-drawn wagons dependent on rail centers. FYI: There are no chickens on the Rolfsrud Ranch.