The rise of Modern Draft Animal Power in America
The process of growing food has undergone significant transformation over the past century. Technological advances have enabled large-scale food production, but have also led to a decline in food quality, degradation of soil, land and water, while distancing producers (and consumers) from the source of their food.
But since the 1980’s an ever-growing number of small-scale, sustainable farmers across North America (and Europe) are turning to animal traction to rebuild their connection to nature and to care for their land by working with draft animals. Draft animals (oxen, draft horses, mules and donkeys) provide clean, renewable energy, and their value increases with training. They play a crucial role in enhancing soil health, increasing land efficiency, and supporting biodiversity. Community is essential for the safe and effective use of draft power, which also aids the practitioners quality of life. But the primary motivation for most teamsters is the symbiotic relationship between humans and a large animal—a partnership that fosters mindfulness, presence, and a deeper connection to the land.
My ongoing project focuses on teamsters—individuals who use draft animals in agriculture and silviculture (forestry and logging). To immerse viewers in a community and lifestyle centered around the use of animal power for environmental, ethical, and personal reasons.
*While religious draft practitioners, like Amish and Mennonites, are adjacent to the modern draft community, often sharing knowledge and tools, the two are distinct, and have different motivations.
Donn Hewes watches to see if Lady can settle in with his herd of suffolk punches. Rock, a gelding who is the lowest in the pecking order takes on the newcomer in hopes of moving up the social ladder. Marathon, NY
Donn Hewes brings Lady down from the field to breed with Red, his suffolk stallion. Marathon, NY
Lady and Red are hand bred, for safety and control. Red is Donn’s suffolk stallion, who he breeds with his own mares and other mares as a part of the many businesses which all make up a small farm. Marathon, NY
Donn Hewes feeds his partner's sheep. Sustainable living on the land has many interconnected parts. Donn uses his draft team to harvest the hay which feeds the sheep, as well as his draft team. And his partner sells the sheep for income. Marathon, NY
Donn's Teamster Training School is located at the Northland Sheep Farm in Marathon, NY, where Donn and his wife Maryrose run a 100% grass-fed sheep farm. Maryrose's meat products are sold locally. Marathon, NY
Sustainable farming respects the flow of the seasons, and cycles of life, living lightly on the land through draft power and animal husbandry. Animal traction provides the power for the many tasks on the farm. Marathon, NY
Dana learns to work with draft animals at Anam Cara Farm, in Maine, in spite of having no prior experience with farm animals. Unlike industrial agriculture, a significant percentage of modern draft practitioners are women, who are stepping into leadership roles. Canaan, ME
Dana on the road working with shire Tommy in her harness driving skills class. Canaan, ME
Tony is dear to his owner so, unusually his cattle ear tag has his name, versus a basic stock number required by the government. Montgomery, NY
A young woman stands with her weanling ox, which she bought newborn and bottle fed to create the bond necessary for working with such a massive animal. Montgomery, NY
Tianna Kennedy is a horse capable farmer and owns a team but she wants to add logging to her skills so she can clear her land as needed and bring in firewood. Horse logging is also an in demand skill which requires training. Montgomery, NY
A Belgian draft team rests after working in the woods in worst first logging, which is only possible with horse logging as they don't damage surrounding trees like machinery. Montgomery, NY
Professional horse loggers train would be horse loggers at the Draft Animal Power Days in Montgomery NY, September 2024 on selecting, felling, hitching, dragging and even using a sawmill. Montgomery, NY
Michael Glos brings one of his Cultivators to Donn Hewes Northland Sheep Farm for the Cultivator Workshop. Marathon, NY
Becky Frye, Julia Ramsey, Maggie Smith, Michael Glos and Donn Hewes examine each Cultivator brought to Northland Sheep Farm for the workshop and assist each other in the task of repairing the hundred year old machines. Marathon, NY
Becky Frye and Maggie Smith salvage parts from a cultivator with bent wheels to repair their own machinery. Both will use them on their farms with their draft horses. Marathon, NY
Horse drawn cultivators largely went out of use in farming with the advent of the modern tractors. But they have been coming back into use since the 1980's because of the lower cost, less damage to the land and better way of life. Marathon, NY
Maggie Smith sits on her repaired cultivator. After two days of hard work it is ready to be used in her fields this summer, and only for the few hundred dollars she paid, the cost of the parts, and the labor she put in. For most draft practitioners, there's intentionality and pride in this scrappiness as well as satisfaction in the environmentalism around draft animal usage. Marathon, NY
Erika Marczak disc harrows a field with all three of her horses, each additional horse adds to the complexity. Montgomery, NY
The learning curve for working with draft animals is steep without teachers like Erika Marczak, Zosha's owner, and Ted Russell who are two of the volunteer educators at Draft Power Days, in Montgomery NY. They help Everett, one of the youngest students of the weekend. Montgomery, NY
Under Ted Russell's guidance, young Everett and Zosha the filly, navigate the obstacle course which shows that the horse and teamster are working in sync and able to safely navigate stops, turns, backing up, and other necessities around the farm. Montgomery, NY