Farm Kids: the future of farming and good food

There is a huge shortage of young people entering into food production. Especially farming. This can paint a bleak picture for the future of good food. Unless we honestly look at what is scaring young people away. And look for solutions.

I don't have all the answers, but I have some thoughts.

Thoughts based on what farmers and their children are saying

I have had discussions with many retiring farmers. The subject is often the same. "I have put my life's work into this farm and none of my kids want it."  

I have talked to children of farmers. There are repeated complaints. They watched their parents work their whole lives. Only to see them go farther into debt or lose the farm altogether.

The challenges of conventional farming

The next generation has no interest in sitting in a tractor 16 hours a day and having no time to spend with their families. 

They watch the degradation of the soil. They see how the farm is propped up on a weak foundation of poor soil with chemical sprays, frequent and expensive inputs and millions of dollars' worth of equipment. Equipment that's needed to manipulate and force nature into producing at the expense of life. 

With conventional farming, they have no control over the price of the product they worked so hard to produce. And they are tired of watching it sell to the commodity market at a loss. 

As is, they feel there is no future in conventional farming. This leads to hopelessness. It is hard to get kids excited about grinding away at the land with no promise of return. 

Farmers are some of the hardest working, most authentic people I know. But even the best burn out. 

The hope of a different outcome with regenerative farming 

I hope for a different outcome. Time will tell. 

For myself, I entered farming because the potential of renewing the land through better management was exciting. Plus, I love good food. 

I read some books and hung out with some other successful regenerative farmers. The atmosphere was different. There was a palpable excitement in the air. 

These regenerative farmers were not subject to the "evils" of nature. They could see production increases in volume and quality every year through skilled management. They felt in control of the future. And this drew me in. 

Life on our regenerative farm

On our farm we do have some equipment. I am not against equipment depending on how it is used. Our one tractor sits parked most of the time and is used for heavy lifting, pulling and some mowing. 

Our animals are docile and safe for the kids with adult supervision. Chores are safe, non-toxic, and understandable by children. Eddie at 5 years old, gets excited about the green grass coming through the soil surface. He loves learning about earthworms and soil microbiology and how we protect them. 

When he is able to be up close, watch the animals eat and learn about the cycle of grass to meat, all of the sudden, he is more interested in feeding them. 

What our farm kids stand to learn from farming

As the children age, they will be able to understand more about why our farm doesn't have standing pools of water all over the fields. Water that either evaporates or runs off. 

They'll learn why our farm has lush green grass when it is dry and the neighboring farm's grass is brown and fading. 

They will learn to understand the power of growing plants and healthy soil in carbon sequestration. 

And instead of doing chores in a barn where the manure smell and ammonia is so strong it tears at your lungs, they get to help set up a temporary fence in a clean pasture. 

They will discover they are able to sell their product for a price that pays them and pays to raise it. They will feel like they are actually running a profitable business.  A business that supports their families, their health and the environment. 

Our view of the future of farming

Like I said, I have seen success when excitement is passed to the next generation. Time will tell if there is success in our farming enterprise. 

Nettie's and my own excitement in the adventure we are on will go a long way for our kids. We hope to provide them with excitement and optimism about food production with the collateral to back it. The collateral of measurable improvements in health, quality of life, and quality of the environment. 

Work with value brings hope and a purpose. Hope and purpose keeps kids engaged and interested. And new generations of farmers sticking around means continued good food for you and those you love.