About Eric
Eric Herm was raised on a cotton farm near Ackerly, Texas. Leaving the farm to pursue other interests, he graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in broadcast journalism. After working in sports television broadcasting, Herm soon chose the life of a vagabond. He lived and worked in Colorado and Alaska, writing about his own personal adventures along life’s highway. Traveling extensively through America, Mexico, Europe and Northern Africa, he witnessed various lifestyles, personalities, and cultures. Throughout his travels, these experiences helped open his mind to the endless possibilities of living life to the fullest. Satisfying his restless spirit, Herm returned back to the land that has been in his family for almost 90 years. He started his life as a farmer all over again. As a naturalist, he continues to seek a more balanced relationship between his family’s farm and Mother Nature, and details the transformation of himself and his family farm in his new book Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth.“Everything is connected. That bond is what keeps this Planet dancing round in poetic choreography. That connection is what keeps us all alive. What we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves. If we are capable of destruction, we are most certainly capable of healing. ” – Eric Herm
Directly from Eric Herm…
Being a fourth generation West Texas farmer, I’ve heard and seen lots of things. But every year brings with it something different with new challenges. While I fled the family farm many a year ago, something brought me back, and I’m glad I’m here again. All four of my great-grandfathers were stewards of the land, along with both my grandfathers, and my dear ol’ Dad. Like I had a choice? That earth gets into your fingernails enough years, it seeps into your blood.There is a connection between a farmer and the earth. We’re gatekeepers of sorts. Guardians of the land. The problem is there is not many of us left. My generation is almost non-existent, and we’ve got to change those numbers soon. Prices of large corporations and ignorance of politicians in Washington (who are in cahoots with the corporations) are doing nothing to save the family farm, nothing to save the American farmer. Ask yourself, what will we do in this country without farmers, without ranchers?
We’re learning more every day in agriculture. And the hardest fact most farmers have to swallow is we have to change our ways, ideas, and methods…and fast. Like Charles Darwin said, “It’s not the smartest or strongest who survive, it’s the ones willing to change.”
One thing is for certain around here – and that is you can never be too certain. As a dryland cotton farmer here, you plant the seed and take your chances. You say a little prayer and take a shot of tequila. Some years, more tequila is required than others.
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