There is something iconic about a farmer. When I learned of this exhibit at the Temecula Valley Museum, I knew we needed to learn more about this hearty soul...the American Farmer. Wow.
And I needed to share it with my friend, Julie.
When photographer Paul Mobley set out to capture the soul of our country’s farm communities, he encountered an enduring rural culture that remains rooted in the principles of tradition, family, integrity, and hard work. Crisscrossing the country, from Alaska to Florida, Mobley and his camera were welcomed time and time again into the homes of hundreds of farm families.
Visit after visit, Mobley came to know the independent farmer’s spirit from both behind the lens and across the dinner table. He sought the elusive spirit of agriculture, looking for subjects that mirrored the project’s sense of risk and independence. The resulting images show farmers with a strong sense of where they belong in the universe, a close connection to the land and their day- to-day work as it affects the rest of the world.
Out of a collection of more than 300 of these portraits, ExhibitsUSA has distilled a selection of forty-five iconic portraits showing the geographic and cultural diversity of the American Farmer. This vivid portfolio is accompanied by anecdotes and memories in the farmers’ own words that are both a testament to their enduring hospitality and a moving glimpse into the hardships and joys of a quickly disappearing way of life—one that once defined our national identity and now struggles to remain vital.
I was enamored with this image of Walther Jackson, a citrus farmer from Florida. The quote by Mr. Jackson read, "It's been a rough life, but it's been a sweet life."
Mobley’s amazing photographs reveal the true face of American farming and remind us what it means to live with simplicity, contentment, and decency in a world that so often forgets. This is a must-see exhibit. Wow indeed.
After learning about life as a farmer, we played about in the children's section, learning about life in early Temecula. It is always good to play!
“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit,
because it will in the end contribute most
to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
-Thomas Jefferson
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