The Revitalist

The NYTimes reports on cultures clashing on the rural North Fork of Long Island. It's suburbanites v. the realities of rural life. Developments are springing up on formerly rural land that cater to the desire to get out of the city and into the country and live a quieter life, closer to nature. Unfortunately, nature, especially as a part of the modern farming system, isn't always peaceful, beautiful and sweet smelling. So, Long Island faces a choice between preserving its rural identity or adapting to its new residents. One of whom says, "A lot of people moved here because it has a rural feel without really being rural." But the State Farm Bureau says that the 700 farms in Suffolk County make it the most agriculturally productive county in the state. So, what is "really" rural? Seems like the North Fork qualifies, and the new residents ought just to realize that there are plenty of neighborhoods that aren't situated between a vineyard and a corn field and that you can't have your cake and eat it too.