Young Farmers Find Huge Obstacles to Getting Started
With the conversations we have been having about our not-so-sustainable future and how we are in need of a change when it comes to food production, it was disheartening for me to come across this article. A young couple in Oklahoma struggle to start up an organic farm because of the cost of land. With the struggle for farming to continue on, these young people found it hard to believe that they were being denied the ability to farm because no one would give them a loan.
Luckily, with the aid of the 2008 Farm Bill, young farmers are provided with education on how to go about starting a farm in the modern agricultural world. With the age of the American average farmer rising, the need for young people to get involved is crucial. In a society that is increasingly becoming more co-dependent on the importing of food sources, local farmers are in high demand. Reducing the shipping and travel costs, both environmental and capital, will help us to move forward as a society to become more sustainable. There will come a time when we will no longer be able to afford to import food from all over the world. Keeping our food sources close will not only eliminate a large portion of our environmental pollution but will boost our national agricultural economy.
I think this is a very interesting post because I never really thought about young farmers trying to start a farm. I think of farming as either a family owned farm, in which it is passed down through generations or a corporation (Agri-business). I imagine it would be very difficult to start a farm on your own, and be able to afford to do so, as you mentioned in your post. I wonder if the next Farm Bill will also encourage new farmers as you said farmers are getting older and there is a need for younger farmers. And, I also agree that there will come a time when we will no longer be able to afford (both financially and resourcefully) to import all of our food from long distances.
ReplyDelete‘These are young, naïve, romantic, idealistic kids who didn’t know what they’re getting themselves into.’ That is a quote directly from the article and that is how I feel about these people asking for a loan as well. Sure, I think it is fantastic that these are young individuals are trying to succeed as farmers. When you think farmers, you think old, family-passed-down-farms. In the unsustanable world that we are living in today, we need more individuals like this. However, they cannot just be all gung-ho about the idea without having any real plans. This needs to be something that is thought out and something that if done, is done the proper way. I give them major props for even wanting to do this, I wouldn't even be able to manage a garden! But ultimately it is these young people's ambition that our society needs more of. They just need to make sure they have the right plan, and with the right plan, they will get the loan they desire.
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up a really great point on why we should support local farmers. Transportation is a huge cost for the agriculture business and supporting local farmers can help relieve some of these costs. As we discussed in class, the farm bill is being reviewed next year. Cutting down transportation costs should obviously should be something that's considered while reviewing the bill.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all three earlier posts, when considering aspects of the Farm Bill and just general farming in America I never considered new entrepreneurs who choose to go into farming. With the emphasis on job creation right now, as well as an emphasis on locally grown foods, it seems obvious that a future Farm Bill should include certain subsidies or tax incentives to help young farmers who chose to start a small farm to cater to local needs. I typically feel that the government over-subsidizes the market, however I understand the importance in subsidizing our agricultural market to keep it competitive in the world, but subsidizing or at least creating incentives for small farmers seems like a great idea. Anything to create more local farms that serve local communities, cutting out transportation needs, would not only cut costs but lead to healthier foods.
ReplyDeleteYou are completely right that young people need to become more involved agriculturally and work in the farming industry. Unfortunately I read an article while ago that was describing how fewer and fewer kids are interested in being farmers, and are instead moving into cities and holding office jobs. After watch the documentary in class, of the 2 college friends who decided to grow an acre of corn knowing they would only receive $18 for their effort it is clear that high monetary gain cannot be something of a high expectation in this industry.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that the Farm Bill has been able to help so many young farmers out there. These young workers are a demographic that are understandably in need of aid in these trying times. Hopefully more public policies can be enacted in the interest of not only young farmers of America, but all farmers. Our country was built in part on the hard work and resolve of our national farmers and they undoubtedly deserve support like that of the Farm Bill.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so on par with what I'm doing for the final project!! I will be going over some during presentations but I urge and totally encourage the rest of the class to check out Common Ground, the food co-op in Urbana. Along with having delicious, fresh, and LOCAL foods, they have really awesome soups that are made fresh daily with all the produce they receive!
ReplyDeleteGrowing a veggie farm yourself is a little harder on campus, but it's also a great idea to look up restaurants around town or your hometowns to see which ones support local farms. A few here are Destihl, Bacaro, Radio Maria, and Red Herring. Yes, the first three are a little on the pricier side but the food is great and maybe consider them as places to take your parents...
I had absolutely no idea that young farmers were in high demand. Living in a suburb, I've never had much experience or understanding of farming. Just as Taylor was saying, I have always assumed that farms are passed down by a family and not a usual work opportunity for the average Joe. As farmer's markets are becoming more recognized, I would assume that starting a farm could be a big moneymaker. I think the Farm Bill has the ability to encourage young adults to become farmers by providing them with further details on expected profit, etc.
ReplyDeleteI live in central Illinois and have seen and know of many farms in this area. However, most of these have been passed down for a few generations. I had never thought about what it would take to start up a farm. I'm glad the Farm Bill is finally starting to help this younger generation.
ReplyDeleteI think looking at young farmers is very interesting. Our society is so concerned with how they are getting their foods and other resources but really pay no attention to much of it. Instead they continue to buy from big businesses and remain uneducated on the issues. Young people trying to start a farm shows some people are wanting to change and anything change is beneficial.
ReplyDeleteYoung farmers is such an interesting topic, because it's hard to even think about people in today's age it's hard to even imagine people trying to start their own farms. Most people who enter the industry often do it because their families have in the past, but I can't really even imagine someone trying to buy land and compete with corporate farms today. I know our university has a large agriculture school, but starting a farm today is clearly more difficult than expected.
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