Emma Peaslee

And while we don't do a lot of things today the way we did in the 1500s, for good reason, this land lottery has not changed at all. Every 10 years, in a year that ends in four, right after the harvest, the people here have held a lottery. No matter what. In 1984, the year it rained the day before the lottery and the fields were muddy, they did the lottery.

Even in 1944, during World War II, when bombers flew overhead, they still did the lottery.

Even in 1944, during World War II, when bombers flew overhead, they still did the lottery.

Even in 1944, during World War II, when bombers flew overhead, they still did the lottery.

The first thing to know about this lottery is that it involves a lot of walking. They really walk at a brisk pace.

The first thing to know about this lottery is that it involves a lot of walking. They really walk at a brisk pace.

The first thing to know about this lottery is that it involves a lot of walking. They really walk at a brisk pace.

Friedrich, the potato farmer, is moving fast. He has real dad at the airport energy. He's walking with a purpose, and we initially lose him in the crowd.

Friedrich, the potato farmer, is moving fast. He has real dad at the airport energy. He's walking with a purpose, and we initially lose him in the crowd.

Friedrich, the potato farmer, is moving fast. He has real dad at the airport energy. He's walking with a purpose, and we initially lose him in the crowd.

We get to our first plot with Friedrich and his son Veit, who's taking over the farm. Veit has all the stakes with their name. They have nine stakes for nine plots of land. Some farmers have dozens of stakes, others just a few.

We get to our first plot with Friedrich and his son Veit, who's taking over the farm. Veit has all the stakes with their name. They have nine stakes for nine plots of land. Some farmers have dozens of stakes, others just a few.

We get to our first plot with Friedrich and his son Veit, who's taking over the farm. Veit has all the stakes with their name. They have nine stakes for nine plots of land. Some farmers have dozens of stakes, others just a few.

Some of the best plots are at the beginning of the lottery. This first plot would be good for any crop, but it would be especially good for potatoes. So Friedrich really wants his name to be called.

Some of the best plots are at the beginning of the lottery. This first plot would be good for any crop, but it would be especially good for potatoes. So Friedrich really wants his name to be called.

Some of the best plots are at the beginning of the lottery. This first plot would be good for any crop, but it would be especially good for potatoes. So Friedrich really wants his name to be called.

After an hour, two miles of walking, and a dozen more names being called. Not you again? No, my name. Friedrich has watched as a lot of his neighbors get good land.

After an hour, two miles of walking, and a dozen more names being called. Not you again? No, my name. Friedrich has watched as a lot of his neighbors get good land.

After an hour, two miles of walking, and a dozen more names being called. Not you again? No, my name. Friedrich has watched as a lot of his neighbors get good land.

I got a 30 again. Now I have 90. You have 90? So you've read three times? Yeah.