| Aging Farmers Help Next Generation Take Root |
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| Written by Kiki Hubbard | |
| Sunday, 25 May 2008 | |
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It's one of the many crises of American agriculture that the average age of farmers is ever increasing while the number of young farmers spirals downward. Ambitious young farmers face challenges that make it difficult – at times impossible – to begin farming: tumultuous markets, low prices, steep learning curves, and, perhaps most daunting, access to land. These days, farmland is sharing more borders with subdivisions and other new developments, an economic turn that many farmers find disheartening but see as inevitable. Many find their land is worth more as real estate than in crop rows. Skip Glover, a 64-year-old farmer who couldn’t bear to see his vegetable farm yield to creeping Atlanta suburbs, decided to be creative about his farm’s fate. Just because his three kids were settled in careers outside the farmfield didn’t mean the next generation of farmers wasn’t out there. And so began his search for young farmers to lease his land, those people making up 5 percent of Georgia farmers younger than 35. His search ended with two experienced organic vegetable farmworkers in the area: Joe Reynolds and Judith Winfrey. The couple now lives on Glover’s land and lease 5 acres of farmland for just $1 a year. This year marks their first harvest, vegetables, flowers, and eggs sold at Atlanta farmers’ markets. Glover is helping the couple start a CSA. Reynolds and Winfrey enjoy much autonomy in their new farming venture, but Glover’s experienced hands are always in reach. Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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  written by Edgar D Short, May 25, 2008
I grew up in a rural town and spent a lot of my time on the farm due to a "have to" situation. My grandpa was a brilliant farmer and cattle rancher and my uncle had us involved. But none of us kids stayed to become farmers or ranchers. Now I miss the things I liked about the farm life. I'm way older now and see that America took a wrong turn back then not to educate and inspire young people to become better stewards of our Earth. Organic and alternative situations like this are a godsend. Thank you very much Mr.Glover.....Edgar....
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It's true what our moms said...we are what we eat. In fact, it's truer than they thought. What I eat doesn't just affect me anymore, it affects all of us.
Unfortunately, the story of food can sometimes be complicated. But envirovores help each other out...which is why this blog will be bringing you news, tips, and information about food and the environment every step of the way.
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