Our evolving rural view (and our experience with the conservation reserve program)

We all love periodic baby bumps and baby photographs, so why not take photos of how your yard and home has changed over time?

When I took a photo off our back deck last week (for our mini patio project), I realized how much this view has truly transformed since we’ve owned the property.

So, I decided to look back for proof. And aren’t you dying to see?

Say yes.

This photo was taken in early 2012, when we purchased 17 acres in the country.

Part of what attracted us to this property was that the prior owners planted 9 acres of trees through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP is a conservation program through the Farm Service Agency. It essentially provides land owners with an annual payment to plant trees (or other species) instead of using the land for traditional agricultural production. Our property had a 15-year contract which ends in 2016.

The best part is that the prior owner did all of the hard work. He navigated the paperwork, got approval, and planted THOUSANDS of tiny tree seedlings on those 9 acres by himself. He also pruned and worked the trees for about a decade.

There are a variety of types of trees planted, and each have varying growth speeds. He chose a lot of pine trees, which look awesome all year and really show the growth.) But some of the trees shot up fast but then the other slower-growing trees will eventually catch up.

Anyhoo, all that to say … we love the trees. And while they were still really small after almost 10 years when we bought the land, we saw the potential.

And already, in three years, we’re seeing such huge growth. (And also, the annual payment isn’t so bad, either.)

Here’s a picture later in 2012, which I’m only including because Henry was a baby and I could die of the cuteness. But also, the pine trees are already looking bigger.

By 2013, we’re seeing even more growth. Mostly, I think you can notice the trees filling in.

And here’s a photo from 2014, off our back deck. It’s not the perfect shot, but it’s a nice view of the property when everything has leaves. I don’t see a huge difference here, but I wish I had a better shot.

And finally, this is the photo I took last week. Look at how big the trees are getting. I can’t wait until the leaves grow on the other trees. It’s getting to look like a small forest.

 

 

Okay, maybe you are bored and don’t care. And to that, I say, “HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RIVETING TO YOU? THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG. YOU NEED A DOCTOR.”

 

I just can’t get enough of this stuff. I love to think what the trees will look like when Henry is an old man. (Because he’ll obviously still live here, right?)

Why would I do productive tasks like “laundry” or “cleaning,” when Ryan and I could just look for all the photos of our land and compare tree sizes and think about our son as an old man?