tjm articles_farm Working the Calgary Farmers Fields

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TJM articles! written by,
Thomas Mitchell
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It wasn't that long ago, when you went on a couple hour Sunday drive out of the city, you would see and smell fields of crops, flowers, trees, cattle feedlots, ok,OK! not that sweet, but I think you're getting the idea.
Yah, it would be a nice drive to one of the small surrounding towns, but, sadly to say, "not" anymore.


I really think that we are getting closer and closer to completely kissing the garden grown food "good-bey", and saying "hello" to green house foods permanently.
"you know, the stuff with no flavor"

WHY?
When you go on that drive now-a-days, you see heavy equipment turning those gardens and crops upside down.
They are preparing the land to grow homes, instead of food.

Yes, dust has replaced that sweet smell, and houses have replaced the crops.

If you are looking to drive out to the country for the peace and quiet, make sure you have lots of gas and a very good road map, because you are going to go along way.

With the sudden growth of the city of Calgary and the small surrounding towns.
"the country-side has packed it's seeds, and headed for more open spaces".


How do I know this? Because I work for one of those construction companies that turns those nice green fields, into dust pills.

Then right after we are done, along comes another company and paves roads, then house builders come and rows and rows of houses pop-up.


Here's one way to look at it.
Think of it as your garden. In the spring it's nothing but dirt,so you sow your garden in all that nice growing soil.
In a month or so, it starts to show some healthy growth.
By mid summer everything is looking real good, all the land is covered and prospering excellently.
By the end of the year, you have a full grown "neighbor hood".

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My job? I work for Cannex Contracting 2000 INC. operate a rubber tired back-hoe, that has a "Rock Bracker" attachment with a 1 ft sq pad, instead of the point, that I use to pack a 3 foot radius around curb stops valve risers, main valve risers, manholes, catch basins, every-thing that the large packers can't pack. I has replaced the Jumpen-Jacks.


Believe me when I say, it's not as easy as you might think.
A curb stop valve riser is a "one and a half" inch aluminum pipe, with a "half" inch rod inside witch turns the valve on/off.
That pipe could be 12 feet high or more, usually no less than eight feet. "if it is it has to have insulation"
I have to pack it in 16" lifts straight up.
Oh ya, with a 100% soil test as well.
If not, when the large packers get to close they push them over,and that bends the pipe so the city workers can't turn on "your" water.

Are they having trouble?
Don't blame me! I pack mine straight.

Any-way thats what I'm doing, and the fact is, "I Like It".
I do have it easy though, my boss does the hard work.
I run the machine.
It's good exercise bouncing around in the hoe. Keeping me fit and in good health.


SO! Now you know what a small rubber-tired hoe is doing in the middle of all that heavy equipment.


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The ONLY thing I enjoy doing more, is writing my articles and building this web site with, Site Build It. Trust my when I say it's no-were as dusty, i get to play boss. the hours are flexible and i have-been getting my raises.
THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading and I hope this one gives you and insight on just some of what a rubber tire hoe can-do.

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