By: Roxanne Christensen

Roxanne Christensen — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:59:37 +0000

Though heartfelt Jennifer’s call to farm breaks no new ground. She is right that to re-establish robust, a locally-based food production that contributes significantly to the nation’s food supply, we have to make farming attractive and economically viable to the next generation of farmers. Perpetuating the agrarian ideal is a limiting way to do it.
Trying to jump that period in history where we started pulling up fences and paving over farmland by expecting people to wander back to the good old days is not realistic. The woodlot that was used to grow firewood and lumber for building; the kitchen garden near the house used to grow table foods like salad; larger areas away from the house used for storage crops; grazing lands turned to an orchard to harvest deep nutrients. None of this is relatable for most people.
According to the US government census office, 1920 marked the beginning of the shift in the country’s population from urban to rural. Today it is about 80%. The urban/rural classification drives government aid programs so statistics are shifted around, but erosion of the rural way of life has been evident for years. Small farmers have been losing ground for over a century. Yet, encouraged by beginning farmer training and support programs offered by the government and the vast network of advocacy groups, some like Jennifer try, by heading back to the land. Most often their farm dream is a homestead set amid whatever open space can be found, a tractor and barn and sizeable operating overhead. This is what makes it so challenging to start as a business.
The model new farmers are using based on our rural heritage is no longer supported by modern economics. This cannot be fixed by growing practices no matter how sustainable/organic/regenerative/climate smart they are. When the inevitable financial difficulties arrive, they re-enforce the widespread perception that farming requires a life dedicated to hardship and taking a vow of poverty. Few want to sign on to this.
There are more people looking for a small business opportunity than there are looking to return to the land. Some could be convinced that farming is a good one. How? Change from the mindset of trying to create the perfect image of a farm out in the country to building a business that serves local markets and allows people to start up wherever they happen to be. Highlight that there is money to be made doing this. To read more on this see here: https://spinfarming.com/concepts/not-your-fathers-farming/

By: John Metzer

John Metzer — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 14:10:50 +0000

I am interested in the research that says 90% of Americans could be fed from food grown within 100 miles of them. Please send a link to that research. Thank you.

Comments on: How Can We Mobilize New Farmers?

By: Roxanne Christensen

By: John Metzer