The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire


 

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April 14, 2001
Oak Glen, California

Dear Friends & Family,

As you can see, Spring is beginning to get the better of winter, (we hope), and the pear tree blossoms are out in full force above.

We had quite a surprise last week when we found that the Yucaipa Valley Conservancy, according to the Riverside Press Enterprise, had included nearly 500 acres of our family's land in a state park proposal. 

Naturally a bit curious about a plan to cut our family farm in half without so much as by-your-leave, I called one of the old boys at the Conservancy.   Among other things, after agreeing to take our land out of the proposal, he said they had "no obligation" to talk to land owners in the area about the project, because "they didn't have time," and, besides, he was in the middle of a card game.

The moral of the story is simple:  the next time you see a group of folks getting together to do a little good for the neighborhood, make sure you attend every one of their meetings.    They might be up to something, and it might not be any good.

The Riley Family, for the record, is totally committed to many of the same goals conservation groups espouse.   We want to keep our land open to the public, dedicated to farming and to the celebration of American history.      There is a critical difference, however, between us and the average radical environmentalist, and it's characterized by a conversation I once had with a local activist.    After telling him we were committed to preventing over-development, I told him, "nevertheless, we won't have anything to do with the kind of extremists who believe every child born in North America is an environmental tragedy."*     I was expecting him to disavow such lunacy.   He didn't.  He concluded, a little ominously, that we would have to agree to disagree.

Hmmm...  Speaking as one environmental tragedy to another, what do you think?

Happy Easter everyone!

 Your Humble Servant,  

--James Riley

* "...the addition of each person to the American population, whether by birth or immigration, is many times the disaster for the world as a birth in Kenya or Bangladesh..."   --Paul R. Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies and
President, Center for Conservation Biology Stanford University.    

James Riley again:   I graduated from Stanford, but I mangaged to avoid this sort of idiocy, and each of my six children thank me for it! 

P.S. For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the internet to update their search engines, we include the following boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)

Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad, as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer "farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing, wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing: In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?

P.S.  Stay Clear of this "Cider House"

A Picture of the Riley Family

Contacting us via e-mail at: info@rileysfarm.com.

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Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399

(909) 797-7534

Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2000, All Rights Reserved