Painting Description

All is not peaceful here in the river valley near Hawkesville. Although the Mennonites continue to farm, gathering grain in the traditional horse-powered way, the issue that is problematic is the shortage of farmland. In the background of this idyllic scene is the home of a man that has seventeen children. Although even by traditional standards that is a large family, families of eight children are common. Add to the growing numbers of Mennonites the subdivisions that are oozing out from Hawkesville consuming fields of good agricultural property, and it is obvious why numbers of Mennonites are moving north to places like Hanover and Gorrie in search of open spaces.

This image is available for Licensing. Contact Cynthia [email protected] for inquiries.