THE LAST DAYS OF TOBACCO: Buster and Jessie Norton on the crop that grew then went away. FOA Ep.14
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Published 2023-09-22
One of the few farms still growing tobacco belongs to Buster and Jessie Norton. They are a funny and loving couple and are two of the hardest working folks we have met. They farm multiple plots of land in the remote Grapevine section of Madison County, NC where they grow a large garden, make hay, cultivate corn, grow sorghum cane to make molasses, and are one of the last people to produce tobacco.
Here you can watch this all-but-gone process as Buster and Jessie describe the growing and harvesting process, talk about their life farming, and the demands they face as they grow older in the profession. We visit their tobacco fields, watch them harvest the crop, and sit with them for a conversation in the barn where the tobacco is hanging to dry.
For over forty years I have photographed tobacco production from planting through harvest, and all the way to the auction houses at the end of the season. I share images from my files and books, The Face of Appalachia, On Earth’s Furrowed Brow, and Hands in Harmony. Be sure to check out our other episodes and our books about the area at www.barnwellphoto.com
All Comments (21)
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My husband (Charles Arrington) worked for Buster and Jessie almost 40 years. We live over the mtn from them. They are a dying breed, best people in the world!
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Tobacco barns is one of the best smells God came up with.
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when the days were young, this put tears in my eyes how I wish we were in those days again. It was hard I bet , but very fulfilling and wholesome.
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The good days iv got Two boys this is what put them through school and taught them respect for life and how to work for a living God bless the farmers
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I grew up in southwestern Virginia in the 70s and 80s. Tobacco was king then. I performed these same tasks. Brings back memories of simpler days. It was hard work, but we did it without grumbling. Most kids today don’t have a clue about manual labor. I still live on the same farm, but no one raises tobacco anymore. Oh how times have changed 😢.
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The first ten seconds made me want to cry. Many of my best childhood memories are tied to tobacco. Tobacco wasn't only a cash crop for Appalachia, but a big part of life. It was a way for folks to get enough money to climb out of debt, or have a slightly better quality of life. Many a birthday present and school outfit were bought with tobacco. It was means to an end, and now that it's gone there's been no worthy replacement. It's a bygone era.
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Good honest and hard working family.
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What a beautiful couple, as a 55 year old man this took me back to my younger years of working in tobacco, hay, and gardening with my parents. Little did I know at the time that I was experiencing some of the best this world affords us.
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these folks right hear are what built this country -salt of the earth folks for sure
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I grew up in the holler just about a mile from these two, They are great folks. Hard working people who are just as good as they come. Alan Coates
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A lot of memories just came back to me. When I left home in 1988, Daddy quit raisin backer, sold the cattle, and bought a Gas heating stove! I miss that work so much. Hard work, but it builds good character. Younger generation needs a good dose of the past! That sound of the spear made me smile.
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Tim & Scott, Another good one. My daddy raised tobacco like most people in the area. Buster was good friend of Nathan. They always traded work whether it was making molasses, raising tobacco, or hay . Good memories as usual. Don't stop!
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I love North Carolina I have family there I lived there 7 years while I raised my children there Oh to be there again! I love these country folk Thanks for sharing your life stories
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So much I could say and the memories I could share. They're right when they said people are scared and lazy. I'm from east Tennessee and up till about 20 years ago I made extra money working several crops , tobacco being one . I really miss the old days on the farm. I'm over 50 and you have to drive way out to find any tobacco fields. Used to be everywhere. Blessed my soul watching this. ❤
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These two are so cute! Bless their hearts. Can you imagine what all they've seen and had to deal with thru the years. Wow. God bless them and may their days continue to be filled with laughter and love.
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What a lovely couple. Hard, physical work is good for the body and the soul.
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My mom's family is in Floyd county KY and my grandfather was a coal miner, as was many generations of my family, and grew tobacco. I was a butcher for 40 years and I understand being a dying breed and no one wanting to man up and work. I will be 65 Thursday, May 2nd and I am retired and still working. I sure feel at home around people like buster and Jessie and out of place in the world we live in
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Great story! I enjoyed the description of the dying mountain tobacco farming and loved the back and forth comments of the couple. I remember watching my granddad, Ransom Teaster, who was from Madison County, taking tobacco leaves, putting molasses on them and twisting them to dry to make chewing tobacco.
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My Grandparents worked in Tobacco for years. Orange county NC. Still to this day I love the smell of a gold Tobacco leaf. Love the history in these videos. Thanks for sharing..
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Beautiful story and people. I'm so happy I found your channel. Thank you and God bless you!
