by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why do people feel the need to steel food from farmers?

I think that most farmers will leave gleanings for someone if they let the farmer know that they need foor for their family. Even if someone was not in need but just wanted a little, I think that most would share some if asked, I know that I would. I have felt like my watermelons were disappearing but was not sure until this morning. I went to pick one to take to someone and there were 3 that were together that I had been watching the last couple of weeks as they were mature yesterday and today they were gone along with one that was quite large for crimson sweet. I probably would not have missed any of the others.

Like
Report

Share:: Facebook; Twitter; Other

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

by JPsgirl on August 6th, 2010

Asker's Pick

Selected by the asker, Texasescimo. (What's this?)

Asker's Pick

On Answerbag, the member who originally submits a question can identify the answers that he or she finds most valuable. "Asker's Pick" answers show you which answers best addressed the question on the original submitter's mind.
I didn't know this was a problem!
Comments
- JPsgirl, thank you for your answer. A while back someone shot and killed a buffalo that belonged to someone that has a small herd of buffalo not too awful far from here. I don't have any livestock(unless you count chickens) but I've heard that stealing livestock is a major problem so I guess really the problem that I am wining about pales in comparison and is not that big a problem. Just aggravating.
  A few months back someone cut part of my barbed wire fence and stole a 6x8 wagon. A few weeks later 2 young men, late teens to early 20's were pulled over one night around 10PM, next to where the fence was cut which was by a hackberry tree that clocks the view from the house. My wife saw one of them in our pasture and he saw her and ran back to the truck and they took off. Think it was them again as I share with all of my neighbors. There is a subdivision a couple of miles from here and I think they live there
  
  PS. Hope that you don't mind that I accidentally marked you as Asker's Pick. Lol. I was trying to mark the advertisement by leilei67 as spam and the AB page moved as I clicked.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
- When I first read your question, the "description" part didn't appear. I live in Minnesota (farm country) and didn't realize so much was being stolen. But some of the stuff you talk about is just plain vandalism, not completely related to farming. I don't know why people do it: maybe for kicks, or out of desperation, hungry families, etc? No idea. It wouldn't occur to me to take what belongs to someone else, though in the past I have had things stolen from my yard. Thanks for the "Asker's Pick," though I'm pretty sure mine was not the best answer. Good luck to you!
  
  Report
  
  by JPsgirl on August 6th, 2010
- Thank you. More irritated than anything. I just give the food away to our neighbors and congregation anyway so its not my livelihood.
  If it is the same ones that we saw, pretty sure it was a combination of just for kicks or maybe for some pot money as that wagon would not do them any good unless they had some land. The 4x6 wagon sells at tractor supply for $289.00 last I checked. Pretty big for a city lot but does me good for melons and such.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
3 comments | Post one | Permalink
by TonieMoral on August 6th, 2010
i love watching them run out on the porch in their overalls with a shotgun.
Then later on they ask their equally bright grandkids to post an angry comment on 'that there inner-net thingie' and they end up selecting the wrong word instead of "Steal".

touche.
Comments
- I tain't bin blest yit wid no graindkeds. llo
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
- If it weren't for farmers, TonieImmoral, you'd be eating plastic crap. (Maybe you already do.)
  
  Report
  
  by JPsgirl on August 6th, 2010
- JPSgirl = fiesty
  don't mess with a farm girl i guess...
  
  Texasescimo, thanks for being able to take a joke.
  
  Report
  
  by TonieMoral on August 6th, 2010
- "Feisty" is a kind word for what I was being. I apologize. I read your note at a bad time. Sorry.
  
  Report
  
  by JPsgirl on August 6th, 2010
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
4 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Snatchsquach on February 5th, 2012
A lot of people are hungry, and they are stealing from gardens all over the world. My garden is well hidden and has a big fence with a dog run along it, and two big nasty mutts on guard. I have heard them barking at 3 in the morning, and gone out to find someone moving in the shadows. I hollered and jacked a round in my 12 gauge. They split, and haven't been back. You have to protect you food supply, and it will get worse.
Comments
- Thank you for your answer snatchquach.
  I know what you are saying and I agree that it will likely get worse. We give most of our vegetables and fruits away to our congregation and our neighbors so it is not our livelihood. If they were just hungry it would not have bothered me as much but I would rather them just take one or better yet, to come ask me and I would give them plenty. They first cut the fence when we were in Alaska when they stole my 4'X6' wagon and then they came back throughout the growing season parking behind that same hackberry tree where they cut the fence.
  The ones that were stealing were young likely around their early 20's. We saw them a couple of times. The first time we saw them my wife saw one of them was leaving the garden area going through the pasture as they saw us pull up. It did not dawn on me what my wife was saying until they were driving off as I did not see the one in the pasture until he opened the door to the truck. Their dome light stayed on as they drove on so I could see they were two young white males. They were just doing it for kicks.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on February 5th, 2012
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by AnuradhaRav on February 5th, 2012
I think stealing is wrong on any level. If someone has a family to feed and no money they could always offer their services to a farmer in return for some food. I think most farmers would have so much respect for someone and who knows if he is a good worker could lead to something better.

Once someone is a known theft all their opportunities are lost.
Comments
- Thank you for your answer AnuradhaRav.
  That is very true. There is always something that needs to be done around here and would give them food rather or not they offered services in exchange. As you said, if they offered services in exchange they would have my respect and I would have paid them for their help and given them food.
  The ones that were stealing were young likely around their early 20's. We saw them a couple of times. The first time we saw them my wife saw one of them was leaving the garden area going through the pasture as they saw us pull up. It did not dawn on me what my wife was saying until they were driving off as I did not see the one in the pasture until he opened the door to the truck. Their dome light stayed on as they drove on so I could see they were two young white males. They were just doing it for kicks.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on February 5th, 2012
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by readdear on August 6th, 2010
There are so many unemployed people. A lot of unemployed people probably rationalize that they are living (stealing anyway) without actually working just like most everyone else. Most everyone else is letting robots do the work while they do very little except collect insurance, argue at the office, make a lot of paperwork, etc.
Comments
- Readdear, thank you for your answer. That is a possibility.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by aiar on August 6th, 2010
because we need to feed the minorities
Comments
- Not that it matters to me, but pretty sure that they were white. A few months back someone cut part of my barbed wire fence and stole a 6x8 wagon. A few weeks later 2 white young men, late teens to early 20's were pulled over one night around 10PM, next to where the fence was cut which was by a hackberry tree that clocks the view from the house. My wife saw one of them in our pasture and he saw her and ran back to the truck and they took off. Think it was them again as I share with all of my neighbors. There is a subdivision a couple of miles from here and I think they live there.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
- Just ran across this old thread. Didn't have any fruit or veggies to steel this year. The drought had just about every opossum and coon in the County eaten my cantaloupes for the moisture. Could keep the watermelons watered regular enough to get much of them.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on October 25th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
2 comments | Post one | Permalink
by thatsJustme on August 6th, 2010
its stealing no matter the excuse ......hungry or not......thats a living for them and I am sure its hard knowing that people would do such....but its probably kids, especially in a watermelon patch...
Comments
- Not any small kids around here and I share with all of the neighbors. Everyone around here has at least 4 acres so not a whole lot of neighbors. A few months back someone cut part of my barbed wire fence and stole a 6x8 wagon. A few weeks later 2 young men, late teens to early 20's were pulled over one night around 10PM, next to where the fence was cut which was by a hackberry tree that clocks the view from the house. My wife saw one of them in our pasture and he saw her and ran back to the truck and they took off. Think it was them again as I share with all of my neighbors. There is a subdivision a couple of miles from here and I think they live there.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
- its just a sign of the way things,people are today, Tex....get you a great pyrene....they are awesome 'guard'dogs......
  
  Report
  
  by thatsJustme on August 7th, 2010
- LOL! See Tex, its a standard solution. I suggested Rottweiler, but I really like Boxer's.
  
  Report
  
  by no_one_special on August 7th, 2010
- http://www.godiva-hair.com/images/lisa_and_dogs_great_pyrenee.jpg
  Lol. Nice suggestion thatsJustme, similar to NOS suggestion. I kinda got 2 not so great pyrene's. I have two american escimo's, looks like a smaller version.
  I would have to invest in a fence to do that as barbed wire want keep em in. I grow them in my side pasture. I probably only got around 20 or so watermelons so far not counting the 6 that I picked yesterday that were not quite mature yet as I did not want to lose them last night. We have been pretty much in a drought this summer with heat often well into the 100's the last month or so. Alot of sweat and water went in to this. It's not my livelihood though, I just give em to my neighbors and our congregation. The city annexed us a few months ago and they want to take half of our land via imminent domain so it will likely be my last year with a large garden anyways.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 7th, 2010
- really sorry to hear that , Tex....
  
  Report
  
  by thatsJustme on August 9th, 2010
- Thank you thatsJustme. I thought it was funny when you suggested the great pyrenee's as from the pictures on the internet, my dogs look kinda like smaller versions. Lol
  Here is a photo of my dogs from last years harvest.
  
  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/7351765
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 9th, 2010
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
6 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Pith-y on August 6th, 2010
If you are talking about people who go into fields and take some ears of corn, some of them are hungry, some of them just don't think taking those ears is stealing (I mean look there is a whole field full!) and some just like the thrill of the steal.
Comments
- Pith-y, thank you for your answer. I think that in this case, "some just like the thrill of the steal" is the case. A few months back someone cut part of my barbed wire fence and stole a 6x8 wagon. A few weeks later 2 young men, late teens to early 20's were pulled over one night around 10PM, next to where the fence was cut which was by a hackberry tree that clocks the view from the house. My wife saw one of them in our pasture and he saw her and ran back to the truck and they took off. Think it was them again as I share with all of my neighbors. There is a subdivision a couple of miles from here and I think they live there.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 6th, 2010
- You're welcome. For some reason the details weren't showing in your question when I answered it. Or I would have realized they were stealing your watermelons...I love watermelon and would have advised you to shoot to maim the thieves!
  
  Report
  
  by Pith-y on August 6th, 2010
- Lol. I want shoot em. The only way that I have been able to add a description with a question is to ask a question first and then go back and edit. I don't know if that is one of the many glitches in the new AB or if that is just one of the many glitches in my computer skills.
  
  Report
  
  by Texasescimo on August 7th, 2010
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
3 comments | Post one | Permalink

Question

Why do people feel the need to steel food from farmers?

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

Asker's Pick

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

In order to avert the next food crisis should world governments encourage their farmers to grow more alternate crops (sorghum, mung bean, barley, etc.) and with lower grain to meat ratio (goats and rabbits)?

I was wondering how old you have to be to sell things at the farmers market. Im only 14 but when i grow produce i sometimes grow too much and my family and I can not finish it all. Bottom line I need to know the age. (in texas)

If a farmer's cow destroys crops of neighboring farmers is it the neighboring farmers' responsibilities to put up a fence and fix damage?

What is high alloy steel?

What financial effect has the recent spinach contamination had on the actual farmers?

Professionally Researched

What is high alloy steel?

What food did they probably have at the first Thanksgiving?

What is food science technology?

What would a queen leaf cutter ant use as a food source for a new colony?

Which specialized vascular tissue carries plant food?

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Question

Why do people feel the need to steel food from farmers?

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

Asker's Pick

Asker's Pick

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!