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Growing Up On the Ranch…

My project proposal is based on my son Clay who is now 14 years of age growing up on the ranch.  This journey includes both play time and work time. When you are a farm kid, you are exposed to so many different aspects that you would be in the city. When you live out in the country, you are able to shoot the rockets you assembled, ride motorcycles and quads, play in the field with your toys, and raise animals for your 4-H projects.   You have ample room to play baseball and there is always something to tear apart and put back together. My goal was to show my audience through photographs, different experiences Clay has had a farm kid, with emphasis on his current focus, learning the trade of almond farming.  

Since Clay was a little guy he was consumed with fascination for tractors and farm equipment.  When he was a toddler, he would always steer sitting on the knee of his father and as soon as he was able to reach the peddles, he was driving a tractor on his own. This is nothing out of the ordinary for a farm kid.  He knew all the different farm equipment and what it was used for.

As time progressed, changes happened within our farming business.  I was set to take over the home place which is 20 acres and farm the almond ground myself.  Of course, Clay has been very excited to learn the almond trade and all the new responsibilities that come with it. He is planning on being an essential part of the farming operation. Not all children get an opportunity that he has, he understands the privilege and he is very happy for the opportunity.

Photographs in this book show you how he has learned to set up the pump for groundwater to feed into the micro-sprinkler system in the almond orchard.  There are several steps that you must take to get them going.  It will also show him removing the heads of the sprinklers to clean out the sand that clogs the sprinkles due to pumping the groundwater. It is often referred to “riding the sprinkles” from by farmers.  Also, you will see him making repairs and using various equipment (both large and small), removing small tree branches after almond harvest and a lot of shovel work!

Mathias Bruggman - Photojournalist

On the Sixth Day by Alessandra Sanguinetti

Cleverly titled, referencing the biblical sixth day when God created creatures on earth.  Her photographs allow you to witness he relationship between man and animal.  It also gives you view of the animals everyday life in their surroundings.  There is even a photo of a man aiming his gun towards the herd.  it is very sad, but also a fact of raising animals.  

Consuming the American Landscape by John Ganis

Ganis states “Any landscape is composed not only of what lies before our eyes but what lies within our heads.”  This is accurate with any mediums of art.  Ganis is a traditional rustic landscape photographer.  His theory is to evoke the countryside and rural life.  there are so many opportunities to photograph this style and he does a great job depicting these romanic landscapes.