{"id":9239,"date":"2023-04-19T20:48:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T20:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/?page_id=9239"},"modified":"2023-06-19T20:15:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T20:15:43","slug":"william-crockett-oral-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/william-crockett-oral-history\/","title":{"rendered":"William Crockett Oral History"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text]\n

William Crockett Oral History<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][page_submenu alignment=”center” sticky=”true” bg_color=”#008542″ link_color=”#ffffff”][page_link link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/manuscripts-and-guides\/” title=”Manuscripts & Subject Guides<\/strong>” id=”1681937180419-1″ tab_id=”1681937180419-7″] [\/page_link][page_link link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/guides-to-the-collection-page\/” title=”Collections Portal<\/strong>” id=”1681937180434-8″ tab_id=”1681937180435-6″] [\/page_link][page_link title=”Visit<\/strong>” id=”1681937180446-8″ tab_id=”1681937180447-0″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/visit\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Make a Request<\/strong>” id=”1681937180452-5″ tab_id=”1681937180453-0″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/requests\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”About Us<\/strong>” id=”1681937180465-4″ tab_id=”1681937180466-3″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments-archives-museum-about-us\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Yearbooks Online<\/strong>” id=”1681937180478-1″ tab_id=”1681937180478-9″ link_url=” https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/yearbooks-alumni-magazines-delta-state-histories\/”][\/page_link][\/page_submenu][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Delta Black Farmers Oral History Interview<\/strong><\/p>\n

Interviewee:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William Crockett OH# 367<\/strong><\/p>\n

Interviewer:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eleanor Green \/ Emily Weaver<\/strong><\/p>\n

August 23, 2006<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am Eleanor Green and today is August 23, 2006, and I am here with William Crockett and we are doing a interview for the Delta Black Farmers Oral History Project.<\/p>\n

Okay, can you tell me your full name?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William Crockett.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And when and where were you born?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Duncan, Mississippi, from Mound Bayou it was about twelve miles, but it was near the river so it\u2019s pretty close to highway 1, yeah, a little place called Round Lake or Frances Landing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And were your parents originally from that area?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, my grandfather I guess acquired that land sometime earlier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you know how he acquired the land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Through the railroad purchase.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s an answer that we have gotten several times.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah well, Mound Bayou, the land here was acquired from the railroad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How many siblings do you have?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two sisters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And were they associated with farming or are they?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Does your family still own land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And how much, do you know how much land your family has, or you have?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Approximately 150 acres.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And has that changed over time?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It has increased over time.\u00a0 And is the land located here in Mound Bayou or Duncan or\u2026?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, the home place, which is where I was born is located up there, and the other part is in the vicinity here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 And the land is still being farmed?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are you farming it?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And what are you farming?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soybeans and cotton.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soybeans and cotton \u2013 have you always farmed soybeans and cotton?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s basically it, but at one time I was just farming soybeans.\u00a0 But I like cotton so I just got into cotton.\u00a0 And I basically do this as a hobby so it is not a source of income for me by no means.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it is a source of income for anybody.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can you tell me some of the history of the land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 As I said, the land in Duncan as I call it, was acquired by my grandfather.\u00a0 So he farmed it and he had quite a number of children.\u00a0 My father opted to remain on the farm but my uncles and all moved to the city and worked in plants, but he stayed on the farm.\u00a0 Two of them, my father and uncle stayed on the farm.\u00a0 We had a eighty acre spot that my grandfather acquired so you know, it just sort of passed from grandfather to my father and them ends up with me, for they have all passed away.\u00a0 Now, the land in Mound Bayou was my mother\u2019s.\u00a0 So it was my grandmother\u2019s land passed down to my mother and her sister.\u00a0 So it has been in the family for quite awhile.\u00a0 And that was a eighty acre block of land.\u00a0 The land still remains in the family although we have –\u00a0 the sisters to my mother got their part.\u00a0 There is a forty acre block that is owned by me at this particular time, along with my mothers land.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Was the farm ever used for share cropping or did you ever have tenant farmers on your land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, my father had some share croppers or tenants right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did they \u2013 did ya\u2019ll have employees on the farm?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not really, no, you know.\u00a0 Occasionally after we got out of school in the afternoons, you know, some children and myself, we would go out and pick cotton after school you know, during that particular time of year.\u00a0 So that was the only kind of employment, it was just kind of seasonal hire kind of thing.\u00a0 They would come out and pick cotton and you paid them for you know, the cotton that was picked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What would you say was your most memorable moment growing up on the farm?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well I guess it would be when I was about ten years old, my father put me on a horse and gave me about eight to ten bales – samples and told me to go to town and sell it you know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How far was town?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 About seven miles to Duncan, okay?\u00a0 They had about three cotton buyers there.\u00a0 You know he didn\u2019t give me any instructions, he didn\u2019t say you should get a certain amount for it.\u00a0 He just said, \u201cGo to town and sell this cotton.\u201d\u00a0 Ten years old.\u00a0 So I went to the first cotton buyer and I had the samples all, he had a string around them.\u00a0 If you know what samples was doing that time.\u00a0 It was a round thing with a band around it, a paper band or whatever.\u00a0 So I walked in and told him I had this cotton for sale.\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t ever been into it so he reached and got the sample and took his knife and cut the little string from around it.\u00a0 He then broke the band on it.\u00a0 Why I didn\u2019t particularly like that.\u00a0 So he broke the band on it.\u00a0 Cause I thought he could get the cotton out of the end cause the cotton was sticking out of the end.\u00a0 So he broke the band and laid it out and he reached over and got some cotton out of it and he would pull it and put it in here and blow it and pull it.\u00a0 And so I was sitting watching him and he dropped the piece that he had picked up on the floor.\u00a0 I looked over and he had a pile of it on the floor.\u00a0 So he reached over and got him a little more and pulled it out and went through the same procedure.\u00a0 When he finished he dropped it on the floor.\u00a0 So you know those other eight or nine bales I reached over and got the samples.\u00a0 That\u2019s the only ones that he was able to touch you know.\u00a0 Cause I didn\u2019t like the idea of part of my cotton going to the floor you know.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 So I left that particular place and I went to the other ones. And when I went to the others, naturally I passed him a sample and asked him what he would give me for it.\u00a0 So when I left there I had all my samples and all my cotton.\u00a0 Normally I guess when you sell the cotton they keep the samples, I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 But I carried it all back home, but I sold the cotton.\u00a0 I went to all three cotton buyers.\u00a0 When I went to the first one I found out what I should do, you know it was kind of a negotiating thing.\u00a0 When I went to the second one and the third I knew exactly what I should do.\u00a0 So I sold the cotton, and carried the sample back home and carried the check back home to my father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Was he happy with it?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 I guess – if he didn\u2019t he didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0 Cause he sent me and he didn\u2019t give me any instructions, you know, he just said sell the cotton.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So you\u2019re not supposed to put all your samples up there to show them how many samples you have got maybe, is that what you\u2019re saying?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well I thought he – well, my idea he was getting it and why throw it on the floor,\u00a0 why not put it back into the case, cause I was figuring he was trying to get him a bale of cotton over time and I didn\u2019t want to be a contributor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How is it different?\u00a0 How do you sell your cotton today?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I belong to a co-op.\u00a0 You probably heard of Staple Cotton?\u00a0 It\u2019s a co-op so I don\u2019t have anything to do with it.\u00a0 Once I pick it and put it in that module at the end of the row, I\u2019m through with it.\u00a0 The gin will come and pick it up and from that point on the only thing I know is that later on I get a check.\u00a0\u00a0 Cause I don\u2019t have time to deal with the puts and the hedges and I don\u2019t have the time to put in it so you know, I\u2019m not that large so you know I just kind of depend on this co-op to give me the best price.\u00a0 I guess over a period of time you know, if you are doing something maybe this year if the price sky rockets you are kind of locked in to a lower price cause they didn\u2019t think in terms of the market shooting up, but on the downside, if it drops that low, they have already booked it or marked it at a certain price.\u00a0 So, I guess overall down through the years, I guess it is advantageous to be in a co-op cause your cotton is in with a whole lot of cotton so when they sell it they can sell it to a mill.\u00a0 Where if I was selling it I would sell to a buyer. Selling it at a reduced rate.\u00a0 So it is advantageous to me to deal through a co-op.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How long have you been a member?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d easily say ten years.\u00a0 You know I guess it got to a point at one time that if you wasn\u2019t a member then you couldn\u2019t become a member.\u00a0\u00a0 I guess they had a quota or something.\u00a0 But yeah, been with them quite a while.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How has technology changed what and how you produce things over time?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh goodness.\u00a0 Now, with technology, chemicals, no-till, minimum till, it is no comparison.\u00a0 At one time we had weeds and grass in the fields naturally.\u00a0 Now, I guess most farmers hate grass, you know, I don\u2019t even grow it in my yard.\u00a0 So and technology and chemicals allows this to happen you know.\u00a0 I usually plant about 85 acres of cotton and we always harvest it in one day.\u00a0 You know, I\u2019ll go out and from start to finish we will do it in a day.\u00a0 I work with a couple of other fellows and so you know, I\u2019ll help them and they\u2019ll help me.\u00a0 When we go in we usually go in with either three or four four-row cotton pickers and just run through it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have you heard much about organic cotton?\u00a0 Has that been anything you\u2019ve thought about?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not organic cotton, but organic vegetables and other crops, but not organic cotton.\u00a0 Is that a\u2026?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 People will pay extra for organic clothes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 So they\u2019ve got an idea that some chemicals are in there?\u00a0 I can understand that.\u00a0 You know we are big on health and obesity and a whole lot of things, so I can relate to it.\u00a0 I get Delta Farm Press and everything.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s not big in this area I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe in some other country.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the U.S. has got into the market much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah okay.\u00a0 But I can relate to it you know because we are big on natural.\u00a0 When you think in terms of organic you think in terms of natural growth and not the chemicals and \u2013 but I couldn\u2019t even think in terms of it you know.\u00a0 They are doing some organic vegetables in small plots around here you know but, organic cotton?\u00a0 Goodness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To make the farm work what changes have you had to make over time?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do a lot of reading because you have to be adept at chemical applications and resistance and tolerance, so you know, we\u2019ve gone from cotton chopping to strictly, you know, chemicals in weed control and in crop management for as far as cotton growth, you know, growth regulators.\u00a0 It is a world of difference you know and I have gone through the whole, whole gambit.\u00a0 Now I was out of farming \u2013 I grew up on the farm, was out of farming for a number of years.\u00a0 Because I was renting the land, and if you know anything about renting then if the guy don\u2019t make anything then you may not get anything, so I said, \u201cHey, I can do this.\u201d\u00a0 Not make anything too, but at least I can have the satisfaction of you know, working with it.\u00a0 But it\u2019s a world of difference, and it is easy now.\u00a0 Like I said, we can go out, two or three hundred acres, we can go out and I daresay we are not out there two days for any reason.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did your family farm anywhere else before farming in the Delta?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, my mother was originally from the Port Gibson area, so that would be Claiborne County.\u00a0 They farmed there but I guess she was pretty young when they moved to the Delta area.\u00a0 Now my father,\u00a0 he was in Duncan, he was born there too, so I don\u2019t guess he farmed anywhere else.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are the original buildings still on your land in Duncan?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No, recently tore down the house.\u00a0 But the home house site is still there in a just a area out in the middle of the field.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How would you get there from here?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The best way to go would be.\u00a0 Make it simple.\u00a0 Shelby Highway 32 to Number 1.\u00a0 Go north on number 1.\u00a0 You are going to basically come out near Perthshire.\u00a0 Hood\u2019s Farm?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 Kenneth Hood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keep straight up through Round Lake.\u00a0 Once you pass Round Lake the next turn to your right, they call it Francis Landing, it\u2019s going to be Sandy Ridge Road.\u00a0\u00a0 I think the sign is up real high.\u00a0 But you turn right.\u00a0 Just follow that road on around, actually to the end of the blacktop cause Mama Hood will live in a big house to your right.\u00a0 You turn down under the hill, right there at the end of the blacktop where the black tops is a road to your left.\u00a0 You just go straight down and the road then turns right.\u00a0 The farm is right in that curve.\u00a0 The land right there.\u00a0 It is a little small trailer that my cousin and them use for hunting during the winter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Would anyone mind if we took some pictures of the land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No, no that\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What would you say in terms of value of the land to your family, not in monetary, but how you feel about the land?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, I think that the land ought to stay in the family.\u00a0 It has never crossed my mind that I should get rid of it.\u00a0 You know it was my grandfather\u2019s and my grandmothers\u2019 from both sides.\u00a0 I would never think in terms of getting rid of it for any value you know.\u00a0 It is something that I cherish you know, and try to preserve and you know, try to \u2013 do the upkeep on it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have children that you will pass it to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hopefully.\u00a0 I have two daughters.\u00a0 I do have a son-in-law that would probably be the most interested person but he is an attorney and lives in Texas for the time being.\u00a0 So, but that would –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are two women in Jackson who have an organic farm down there and they are selling to every restaurant in town practically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two women!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I just heard about them yesterday.\u00a0 So you do plan to try to keep it in the family for generations to come?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I hope so.\u00a0 It will stay as long as I am around, you know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have you used any assistance to continue farming, well you have mentioned co-ops,\u00a0 but what about programs like FSA Programs or other USDA Programs?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 I have participated, naturally, subsidy, FSA, matter of fact, I just came off the FSA \u2013 I was the minority advisor for FSA for I think fourteen years.\u00a0 And that was –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Was that local advisor or regional?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No that\u2019s local.\u00a0 Cleveland-Bolivar County.\u00a0 You have a FSA Committee that is made up of four members you know.\u00a0 So I served on it as long \u2013 you could only do twelve years, so I served my twelve years.\u00a0 They kind of reorganized so I had already been there two years so once they reorganized then my twelve years started.\u00a0 So I served those twelve years.\u00a0 I went off last year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Last year.\u00a0 Were you replaced by another minority?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 This position is a minority position.\u00a0 What has happened Bolivar County has split up into three regions.\u00a0 So that means you have a person from each region that is elected.\u00a0 Well it is kind of hard to get a minority elected.\u00a0 Oh you can be a candidate<\/p>\n

or get nominations.\u00a0 But it is hard to get elected simply because you don\u2019t have the I guess the population \u2013 black population that could get you elected.\u00a0 You got to be a farmer in order you know, to deal with it.\u00a0\u00a0 I guess they established a minority advisor to the three member team.\u00a0 So that\u2019s how that came about.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Who is the new one?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 James Littleton.\u00a0 He farms in this area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know that year before last, maybe the year before that, that USDA created a position within the USDA of assistant for the secretary of civil rights in USDA?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That was created two years ago to address some of the incongruities that have happened in USDA in the past.\u00a0 That is a new position, so far it\u2019s working out better I think.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I guess this GYPSA Committee\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is GYPSA stand for?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grain Inspection Production Stockyard Association.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay thank you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You know it\u2019s \u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And what – you are on that board now?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And that\u2019s national?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 National right.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s a 15 member committee.\u00a0 And I guess I am the only one from any of the \u2013 well, I guess there is a guy from Louisiana \u2013 New Orleans that is on it.\u00a0\u00a0 But nobody else from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, or anywhere.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0\u00a0 The only representative basically from this particular region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What do they do?\u00a0 What is their main\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Believe it or not they do, regulations for grain, inspections, and it\u2019s basically import kinds of grain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You know they have weights and standards so this committee does resolutions to regulate grain that is being sent to other countries.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So you get a good idea of what the south produces in grains verses Midwest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well you know most of the grains come out of the Midwest..<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 Right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So most of the members on the committee are from the Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas, you know, so\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well it\u2019s good then that our south is represented.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I know that you said farming is a side job for you \u2013<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can you tell me your educational background and what your current position is?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Superintendent of Schools here.\u00a0 Okay?\u00a0 Educational background is Bachelors, Masters, EDs.<\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where did you go to school?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First, Morris, Brown and Morehouse in Atlanta undergrad; Graduate School North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C.; in Atlanta it was Pre-Med and Psychology; in North Carolina State it was in Endocrinology, masters in endocrinology.\u00a0 From there I came to Delta State with another Masters in education and administration and a EDs in education and administration.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And how long have you been the superintendent of the Mound Bayou School District?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since 1991 with two and a half years in retirement.\u00a0 And then I came back in 2002 and been here since that time.\u00a0 But retired back in 1999.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 How \u2013 I have read in a newspaper article that you were talking about the split year school.\u00a0 But that you were able to go to the Mound Bayou School and they didn\u2019t do that.\u00a0 Can you tell us a little about that?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, well, to go back a little bit, Mound Bayou, during the founding, the main thing was education.\u00a0 So it was always a mecca for individuals all around you know, even from a hospital stand point.\u00a0 You had, this was the area, you know people would come from Tunica, to Yazoo City, everywhere to the hospital here.\u00a0 And they would also come from all those areas to the school here because this was at one time the only school that would take you through the twelfth grade.\u00a0 So then they set up schools in places like Duncan, okay for example, you had basically elementary schools, because when I finished high school they didn\u2019t have a high school.\u00a0 Students from Shelby and everywhere had to come here to finish high school.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What year?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201958.\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 So they had to come to Mound Bayou to attend.\u00a0 But when they did establish schools, then you had what they called split sessions.\u00a0 That is to say that you would go to school up to a point where your farm time would start and then you would get out and you would go out and make the crop and then you would go back to school.\u00a0 So by the time from planting to I guess, maturity, not opening now, but once you got the crop clean then you would go back to school.\u00a0 Then you would go to school from that point until it was time to harvest.\u00a0 So that is what you call the split session.\u00a0 You were splitting the year.\u00a0 So then once you would harvest then you would start back to school.\u00a0 But Mound Bayou always started, just like now, you would start in, maybe not in August because I think at the time you had eight years rather than nine \u2013 maybe seven.\u00a0 But anyway whatever length of time everybody else had, then Mound Bayou was on that same scale where you would start and go to the end of school which would be the latter part of May.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How would you say that race has affected your family farm over the years?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well maybe from an economic standpoint.\u00a0 You know, I don\u2019t know how receptive cotton buyers or individuals that was buying the product was.\u00a0 Was that was there equality or equity in pricing?\u00a0 I really can\u2019t say, but as far as, seeing racism, I could never see it.\u00a0 Even when I was in Duncan, and I was only there during summer.\u00a0 Cause we had a house down here.\u00a0 When I was four years old I was down here going to school. So I guess when I was there, we were kind of isolated, so it was never a thing where we had to do anything as far as race or working in other situations.\u00a0 So we were kind of cushioned from it simply because we had our own farm.\u00a0 Owned it and managed it and everything you know.\u00a0 I imagine it might have been a little different for somebody that was a sharecropper or something.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What about your friends?\u00a0 Were all your friends the same kind of situation that your family was in?\u00a0\u00a0 Playing with them, visiting their farms?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Like I said, this was only – I was only there during the summer.\u00a0 When I was here all of my friends parents owned, owned land here, so naturally when we were here we were never in a black\/white situation.\u00a0 So you know it was kind of I guess, I guess in Mound Bayou we never experienced the possible things that other surrounding people experienced.\u00a0 So I can\u2019t really associate with that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t violence in your childhood growing up that we are so prone to expect in the south?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No, we never did.\u00a0 Like I said, in Mound Bayou we were kind of cushioned from those kinds of possible violence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We talked with Mr. Wendell Paris in Greenville and he was telling us that the civil rights movement was helped by farmers who would, not so much that the farmers were participating in actual a lot of the movement so much, as they providing places for the people stay when they came to stay to do different activities, voter registration, and stuff.\u00a0 Did you know of that kind of activities?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh yeah.\u00a0 On a whole, if a black was somewhere else and got in trouble let\u2019s say.\u00a0 If they made it to Mound Bayou then they were, I mean they were safe.\u00a0\u00a0 Somebody here would see that, I mean if he needed to go to Chicago or somewhere, somebody would see that he would get there.\u00a0 I mean those were the kinds of things that was going on all the time.\u00a0 I guess whites just didn\u2019t come in here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What about the railroad that came through?\u00a0 That was the Illinois Central?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is that the Illinois Central?\u00a0 Did they have a depot here?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 It\u2019s right here.\u00a0 It\u2019s right across the street.\u00a0 They moved it from over there to right here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s the Quick Stop that\u2019s there now?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Right here.\u00a0 The Quick Stop is down\u2026It\u2019s on the corner right across from here.\u00a0 The Elks Club?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the Taborian?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 You can see it once you go outside.\u00a0 You came in here.\u00a0 Right across is the Elks Club.\u00a0\u00a0 Right across the street.\u00a0 That is the Depot.\u00a0 We had a large depot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When did the train stop coming?\u00a0 Do you know?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, I can\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I know the train stopped running when I was little.\u00a0 I used to wave at the man in the caboose in Duncan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Duncan?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mm hmm.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I am interested.\u00a0 When I was ten I remember waving to the man and then all of a sudden he didn\u2019t come anymore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t, I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 You probably would know.\u00a0 You said you were ten so you can do your mathematics and you probably will come up with a number.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That will be \u201986 maybe about then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Think about that long?\u00a0 Duncan?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erwin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, Frank Erwin?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 C.W. was my granddaddy.\u00a0 Mayor and Postmaster at Duncan and ran the hardware store.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh.\u00a0 Did you know Mr. Percy Brown?\u00a0 He worked there for years and years.<\/p>\n

Probably before your time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Probably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Short guy.\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 It was across the railroad track over in there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The hardware store?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Um hmm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh yes sir.\u00a0 Um hmm.\u00a0 Um hmm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s no stores there now you notice?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Noooo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That whole strip \u2013 I was through there the other day.\u00a0 Usually I don\u2019t go that way, I go around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Round back the other way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So when I talk about Hood you know the area that I am talking about?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Very much so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am from East Mississippi.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What part?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Starkville.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 You city.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m actually all over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isolated from the surrounding Oktibbeha County.\u00a0 You know they are sitting in the middle and they have got four schools out.\u00a0 One, two, \u2026on the corners.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah I volunteered for the Oktibbeha Schools when I was an adult.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 They don\u2019t have enough students for one high school and they have four.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I think they should just have one.\u00a0 Of course I think Cleveland should just have one but I\u2019m the minority there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I have actually asked all of my official questions.\u00a0 Do you have anything to add?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I just enjoyed doing it you know.\u00a0 I grew up here and contrary to what some may think that farming is degrading kind of work experience.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s important and is something that somebody\u2018s got to do to in order to keep the world moving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What \u2013 when is your next harvest?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, I\u2019m doing a little harvesting now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You are?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Matter of fact probably later today they will be cutting the little soybeans.\u00a0 Up there at the place we have been talking about.\u00a0 I\u2019ll drive \u2013 well normally if I have a break,\u00a0\u00a0 I will drive a combine up there, cut it, and drive back down the same day you know.\u00a0 The harvest is only two or three hours to do that, you know, that forty acres.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you share your equipment with the other folks?\u00a0 You said you farm with a couple of other folks.\u00a0 Do you share yours or do you own your own equipment?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I own it.\u00a0 I own it.\u00a0 I own a lot of equipment really.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Wow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Usually I just buy it.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know why.\u00a0 Not that I need it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You can share.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Buy the equipment because it\u2019s shiny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have anything else?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EG:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well I thank you very much for your time.\u00a0 It\u2019s been very enjoyable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EW:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve been very helpful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tape Ends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

END OF DOCUMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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