Dugas Farm Part Three: Legacy
Larry began, “Water plays such an important role out here. Too much or too little, and it could break you. Like the summer of ’60 or ’61 when we only got three days of rain and harvest that year meant cutting all day and barely filling one small truck.
Or the winters when the snow would drift so badly that I couldn’t see over the top of them when I was out delivering propane. The snow would drift over the fence posts, and cattle would climb right over. If you had a bad year and maybe the farmers in Fort Benton had a good year, they’d come over and buy you out. Next year it may be the other way around.”
Larry and Donna wonder how many more years their stone barn will last. They share stories about the homesteads that have fallen in or have been razed to make room for newer versions. Passing on the stories of the land and buildings is important to Donna, “These stories need to be written down and passed down.”
I asked if the farm would be passed down to family and was answered with a soft head shake and a no. “You know, if I had to live my life over again, I’d do two things differently.” Donna offers matter-of-factly. “One, I’d have more children, and two, I’d learn to play golf. One would increase the chances of having a child to stay on the farm, and the other would be for him (she points to Larry). You see, at our age, he’s losing his golfing buddies, and I never bothered to learn.” Larry laughs and says, “there was a family when we were younger that had eight kids. All I could think about was having eight girls, and I said no, no.”
Donna believes it is vital to pass on the legacy of the land, its buildings, and its stories. When visiting the homestead with her children and grandchildren, she asks them if they remember the story about this or that building. Her children nod and say, yes, we do. And do you remember why it’s important to remember that? Yes, we do. Because you told us to, and we know you’ve written it down, so we don’t forget.
Larry and Donna, I will forever remember our visit and promise to pass along your hospitality.
Thank you, and God Bless.
Original source can be found here.
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