Ox Content in Rural Heritage

[Scott G]

@Ixy 19964 wrote:

Forgive a penniless peasant for being so direct but – do you get paid for this?

As I understand it, Joe will compensate for submissions that are printed.

That said…

I firmly believe in doing things for the greater good with the only “reward” knowing that I am contributing to the culture.

If we hope to further develop our culture of draft power, maybe even just help it to survive, it is our responsibility to spread the word. That can be in the form of reaching out to local folks in our region, or in this modern day world, using the available technology to reach out further. Since you are participating in this forum I know you have access to a computer and know how to use it.

If we don’t provide the outreach & education who will? Our numbers are much too small to not participate, and with the tools of the internet, we are fortunate to be able to share experiences from all corners of the globe.

We all have bills to pay and are dead beat tired at the end of the day but, that is why we have lamps to carry on. It only takes a few minutes a night to jot down a paragraph or two. Folks much prefer to hear from us vs a third party journalist, that is what editors are for.

My take & two bits on the matter; I believe our culture & message are much too important to take a back seat approach. Relying on the “other guy” just doesn’t work for me.

Get involved, for the sake of our culture…

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I do a lot of things for the greater good already…some (my OH) would say too much….at some point you have to have something to live on – these oxen don’t quite live on fresh air 😉 The writing only takes moments, but the travel for interviews, photography etc all takes time and money.

[OldKat]

@Ixy 19982 wrote:

I do a lot of things for the greater good already…some (my OH) would say too much….at some point you have to have something to live on – these oxen don’t quite live on fresh air 😉 The writing only takes moments, but the travel for interviews, photography etc all takes time and money.

I think what Scott was saying is “do what you can do”. What you can’t do is beyond your control and we all know that, but I think each of us can do more than we are currently doing to help the draft animal culture gain wider recognition and acceptance. I know I can do more than I am now, just haven’t figured out how to go about doing it effectively.

[bivol]

ok, i think i’ll write an article for RH.

found some guidelines, must say they’re a bit intimidating, but i’ll still give it a go. it can’t hurt.

[Tim Harrigan]

Bivol, good, I look forward to it. It would be best to discuss it with Joe, RH editor, before you put a lot of time into it to make sure it is in line with the types of articles he has in mind.

[Uncle Joe]

What a great conversation. So much to agree with here. We have had fewer articles about oxen, particularly practical how-to articles, since we bought the magazine three years ago. And we want to change that. I attended the Midwest Ox Drovers Assoc gathering this summer to try to meet experienced and enthusiastic people working with oxen so I could cultivate more articles and article ideas. I need help here; my background is working with draft horses. We hope to begin remedying this scarcity of oxen content soon. In fact the latest issue has a little more oxen content than usual, but still not enough.

We pay for stories we publish: usually 15¢ per published word. We pay for photos we print: usually $15 per photo. It is not a lot, but it helps defray the costs of running down the story, and it is in line with most of our competition.

My email is editor@ruralheritage.com. My phone number is 319-362-3027. I would be pleased to discuss any article ideas with a potential contributor. We are a small shop and rely on outside contributions to provide content. Right now I am budgeting to take a trip to NEAPFD in the fall of 2011. Wish I could go this fall but it is not in the budget.

Thanks to all for your interest and desire to see improved oxen content in Rural Heritage. We are working to make that happen and look forward to receiving your help toward that end.

Joe Mischka
Editor and Publisher
Rural Heritage Magazine

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Thanks for dropping in Joe! I’ll be in touch…

[bivol]

Joe, started to work on the article, will send it when it’s done.

Ixy, go for it!:D

[Uncle Joe]

Thanks Bivol. I look forward to it. And to your contribution, too, ixy.

Joe

[Oxbow Farm]

Just received the Feb/Mar issue of RH and must say it has some really nice ox content. There’s ab article on reel mowing with oxen which is excellent. A profile of Vicki Solomon and a very interesting article on controlling oxen nasally. Was that you Bivol? All in all a very encouraging change from recent issues since the change in ownership. Hats off to Joe.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Mowing with oxen? I have to subscribe! 😀

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