To the rhythm of the crops

Children gathering potatoes on a large farm in Aroostook County in 1940. Back then, schools in what Mainers simply call “The County’’ did not open until the potatoes were harvested.

— Photo by Jack Delano

From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

Back when many Americans worked on farms (my maternal grandfather grew up on one) school calendars were adjusted to agricultural needs, especially to harvests. Thus in many school districts, young people didn’t go back to school until weeks later than they do now.

In a few places where agriculture is still paramount,  special adjustments are still made. Consider Aroostook County, in northern Maine Trump Country, where (in-person!) schools open early to accommodate a break coming in late September so that the kids and teachers can help bring in the potato harvest.

I think that in general kids are now forced back to school too early, in the best part of summer – late August and early September.