The ultimate gift of the farm journal is to remind us that we’re all in this thing called farming together. Thanks to the work of Progressive Dairy and the magazines that have come before it, thousands of farmers have a better understanding of what they do, one writer got his start, and some families out there never had a bare kitchen table.

Barn Gothic explores how my dad, my grandfather and I tried to be fathers and sons to each other while our livelihood fell apart, including the times that we failed. It chronicles the specific dramas of our farm, from dealing with accidents to the sinister actions of banks and other institutions trying to take the farm. It recounts the extraordinary lengths my father went through to keep farming, as well as how we tried to figure out who we were and what redemption there might be in what we were doing.

It was clear that the Celts took the presence of the supernatural seriously, as it dictated some of their agricultural practices. All livestock were brought in from the pasture before the night of Oct. 31 in order to protect them from nefarious beings. Sometimes crops or cattle were burned in bonfires as a sacrifice to appease the spirits. If a cow dried off unexpectedly, it was usually attributed to some form of paranormal doings. 

Kim Bean, the founder and president of Wolf and Wildlife Advocates, has experimented with hazing techniques, such as blasting Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” loudly from drone speakers, as well as a recording of her yelling “Bad dog! You’re just a bad dog, go away!”

Agrihood is part of an increasing recognition that the way food is produced is important, and while many residents may still not be getting their hands dirty, they are at least encouraging local, small-scale production. The model allows some farming ventures to make a reasonable income while bridging the urban-rural divide. In total, agrihoods are a growing option for those who want to be closer to civic agriculture.

Monaghan became one of the first escargot (edible land snail) farmers in Ireland, a group that presently includes about 30 people. He now raises three million snails a year and has recently opened the first snail processing plant in Ireland.

In my head, I practiced the lines that worked out so well for Liam Neeson. When his daughter was abducted by Albanian human traffickers in Taken, he was smooth in getting her out of trouble. I just hoped I didn’t have to explain that my very particular skills, whatever I have of them, were related to farming.

As each generation of the public understands farming a little less, there is more space to be taken up by the imagination regarding what happens in a barn. Perhaps, then, it is not surprising when such sites become hosts to urban legends, tall tales, ghost stories and the locations of paranormal activity.

At the moment, most commercial sales of wool pellets are to organic gardeners and hobbyists. However, those in the young industry are hoping the product will see more widespread application in agriculture, especially as word continues to get out about its advantages and more research continues to support its efficacy.

Despite the numerous sources of anxiety that can affect those in agriculture, farmers tend to be reluctant to ask for help. While there is still sometimes an unfortunate stigma around addressing mental health issues, farmers are also conditioned to be independent.