Born in 1915, near Maheno, Jim describes in this interview his life farming in Southland. After moving with his family to Balfour and later Tuatapere, he left school at fourteen and worked in lignite and coal mines with his father during the Depression. Jim later helped his brother on a farm and eventually purchased neighbouring land. He describes developing the farm, hand-milking cows, growing potatoes, and raising sheep. Following service in World War II, he obtained a returned serviceman's farm at Orepuki, where he and his wife raised five children. He described the challenges of farming, including stock losses, poor land, fluctuating prices, and changing farming practices. Active in community life, Jim played rugby, competed in athletics, coached school rugby, and joined the Orepuki Bowling Club.