In addition to the lighter videos about life on a farm, Morgan produces really interesting videos about the business of farming. There are tic-tocs of
hunting laws and local politics. Morgan shares how
he builds things and why, even despite being very handy, it makes sense to buy some things from professional builders or manufacturers.
Morgan has taught me a lot about agriculture and animal husbandry. For example, did you know that an overwhelming percentage of American farmers make most of their income at a different job? Most farmers have day jobs, just like Morgan and
his wife.
My small media business start-up failed. So I can relate and learn when Morgan explains the books like in the video above. Morgan is approaching this effort in a very thoughtful, risk-managed way. He’s proactive and forward-thinking: indirect and ancillary revenue from things like YouTube sponsorships are high-margin and can cross-subsidize low-margin, loss leader business lines such as eggs for eating. Remember, these days, musicians make money off live experiences and brand partnerships. There isn’t a living wage from selling music anymore.
I’m a softy progressive that despises the suburbs, but I love Morgan’s rural, rugged spirit. I wish fellow Democrats would get better at listening to and talking about people like rural farmers. People are practical regardless of population density, and I think so much suburb focus “eats our brains” with culture war chaos instead of focusing on fixing people’s real problems. Democrats lost the VA Governor race because they didn’t focus on re-opening schools ASAP during COVID; not because of the diversity curriculum. That’s what the data and reporting show.
Individualism isn’t mutually exclusive with collectivism. We can be both self-reliant and stewards of each other in a democratic society. It’s kind of like the Holy Trinity: Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are the same thing and different things. No matter how far you fall away from the church pew, the metaphors stick with you.
It makes me really happy watching Morgan Gold. I’ve started thinking about ways America has to reorganize around BOTH walkable/bikeable, transit-filled smart growth land-use AND local, rural, small food and manufacturing businesses. In my mind, the current suburban status quo is the enemy.
