In part one of this series, I discussed how city folks who move to a rural community can adjust to their new environment. I discussed how to get around using the unofficial rural address system and the proper etiquette for driving on rural roads.

I was inspired to write this series by the Missouri Cooperative Extension system which has developed a “Rural 101” course to teach newcomers to rural areas the facts of rural life. While very informative, as most Extension programs are, it lacked some important basics like how to communicate with your neighbors.
Interpersonal communications is the subject of Part 2 of this series.

There are some important phrases you might hear from your new neighbors that may sound strange. Here is a translation. “The Fair” means the county fair, which you must plan to attend. “The game” means the Friday night basketball game at the local high school, plan on attending even if you don’t have kids in school. Next to Sunday church services it is the most important social event of the week.

“Slow time/Fast time” in certain parts of Indiana refers to Eastern Standard Time (fast time) and Central Standard Time (slow time). “Town” is the location of the nearest bar, hardware store, coffee shop or auto supply shop. Size is not relevant here; the town may be 10 or 10,000 people.

“County office” may refer to either the Cooperative Extension office or USDA office. It depends whether you are filing crop insurance papers or 4-H project papers. Be aware that the “Young Farmers” organization has farmers over 40 years old and the “Extension Homemakers” are, in most cases, not young mothers but grandmothers and great-grandmothers. You should also know that “all-y’all” is proper speech when you live within sight of the Ohio River.

As a new rural resident, there are some essential skills you must acquire. You must be able to tell the difference between the smell of cow, pig and chicken manure.

You should learn the names and colors of the most popular types of farm equipment: John Deere is green, New Holland is blue, Case IH is red and so on. You would also be wise to learn to tell the difference between a planter and a combine; this will save you from acute social embarrassment.

If you plan to live in a primarily agricultural area, you need to learn the proper seasons of the year: planting (March-May), haying (June-August), harvest (September-November), and the meeting season (December-February).

There are also some weather terms you should know. “Rain-up your way” means: did it rain within 10 miles of your home. “Cold ain’t it” means: did the temperature drop below -10 degrees (anything warmer is not worth mentioning). “Hot ain’t it” means the temperature went above 110 degrees (anything less is not worth mentioning).

Now if you follow all these suggestions, you will make some of the best friends you have ever met. You will experience a sense of community that is rapidly disappearing today. You may be the recipient of incredible generosity and outstanding kindness. And, if you stay in the rural area long enough - say 10 years or so - you will still be referred to “the new folks in town.”

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.