TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Livin' the good life down on the farm

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Farm Town is an addictive, virtual farming application in Facebook on the Internet.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: July 8, 2009

LOIS KINDLE

There's something about plowing fields, planting seeds and harvesting crops that gets in your blood. Farming, albeit virtual, is my new passion.

I have to admit, the experience makes me feel especially connected to our agricultural communities in South Shore and East Hillsborough. I lived in Plant City for almost 10 years, and you can't get much more agricultural than that. I live in Ruskin now, and some old-timers here might argue that same claim.

But back to my obsession... er, I mean passion.

The moment I wake up in the morning, I fly by the bathroom on the way to my office. I've got a farm to tend and by God, nothing's going to stop me - not even the call of nature. Quickly logging on to Facebook, I check Farm Town, a simulated, online farming community, to see what crops are ready to harvest. It all depends on what I planted and when. Strawberries and watermelon take one day to mature; tomatoes and watermelon, two; onions and cabbage, three; and so forth.

It's a powerful feeling watching my plants grow, even if it isn't real.

Since I took up this virtual fixation - I mean passion - my morning routine evolves around checking my crops and looking for work on neighboring farms. That and selling my harvests are how I make money to buy more seed. I've actually calculated what crops bring in the best yields and made my first $1 million, which wasn't easy.

As my avatar harvests more and more crops, I've used my profits to add more land, a house and barn, livestock, flowers, trees and all kinds of farming accoutrements. I send all kinds of gifts - animals and trees - to my neighbors. My colleagues think I'm wacky.

Yesterday was a particularly devastating day on the farm, when two grape fields crashed and burned because I forgot to harvest them in time. The dang things only take four hours to harvest, and I do have other things I have to do - like my real job.

Believe it or not, the experience has given me an inkling of how farmers must feel as they watch their seeds sprout and grow, how they become attached to their livestock and the fields. I may not be breaking my back - or a sweat for that matter - like real farmers do, but sometimes my butt's sure sore!

This addiction, I mean passion, is a lot of work!

I've gotten my entire family and many friends into Farm Town; it's quite a rush. You city slickers may doubt me, but Farm Town, and Facebook in general, are great ways to connect with others. And if you're going to spend time on the computer, you might as well do something constructive - like farming.

Call me, peeps. I'll show you the ropes.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 627-4760.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT