| HELP WANTED:50 Million New Farmers |
How do we bring 50 Million new Farmers into the system?Changemakers Day Panel - August 29, 2008 In 1900, nearly 40% of Americans farmed full time. Today, only about 1% are actively engaged in raising the food we eat, and food imports are at an all time high. But as rising fuel costs, resource depletion, and the unprecedented challenges of climate change make industrial farming and long distance food transportation impractical and unsustainable, how will we feed ourselves and who will grow our food? If we follow the farming patterns of 1900, we will need 50,000,000 new farmers – experienced, healthy, intelligent, good-humored, committed individuals with exquisite ecological literacy – to provide the food we need for our current population. Where will they come from, how will we educate them, and how will the farms of the very near future be different from those we know today?  Photos by Mike Kahn/Green Stock Media who retains all photo copyrights - http://www.greenstockmedia.comFrom left to right: Janet Brown, AllStar Organics, Marin Organic; Karen Brown (Moderator), Center for Ecoliteracy; Mike Azzara, Northeast Organic Farming Association ; Steve Schwartz, California Farm Link; Stacy Carlsen, Agricultural Commissioner for Marin County, Farmer. Notes recorded by Gar House – Roots of Change Fellow, 2008 Summary: Climate change mitigation legislation, fossil fuel energy costs, and food safe & security were identified as global, economic and social issues. These issues will force major changes in the American lifestyle. Locally grown, organic food provides a solution to these issues as well as career opportunities for many young farmers. New and innovative educational and financial institutions are needed to nurture this major social transformation in American agriculture. Ecoliteracy – headed by Karen Brown 1. 200 cities and 6 continents world-wide 2. Rethinking school lunch 3. Resources for children to learn about food + agriculture (“Big Ideas”) Presentation began with short slide presentation of front page news events related to agricultural issues with commentary by Karen Brown: 1. Drilling for oil – no connection of fossil fuel usage on human health 2. Salmonella outbreak – no connection to processing and distance tomatoes travel 3. Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) – trust to slow and abate building and preserve agricultural land 4. Climate Change 5. Energy – used as a example to show the connection to why we need more farmers Karen Brown used the example of an average salad bowl of lettuce to show how far it has traveled, demonstrating the importance of locally grown food in reducing energy consumption and mitigating climate change. How far does it travel to San Francisco? • Miles from Salinas Valley - 200 • Olive Oil from Italy - 6500 • Vinegar from Chile - 5600 • Salt from Atlantic Coast • Black Pepper from India - 8500 • Ceramic Bowl from China - 6000 32000 = Total Miles Compare with local bowl of lettuce: • Locally grown lettuce - 10 • Olive Oil from Marin County - 15 • Vinegar from Marin County - 15 • Salt from Pacific Coast - 1 • Local Red Pepper substitute -10 • Ceramic Bowl from Local Potter -10 61 = Total Miles Karen Brown: 1. We have a shortage of farmers and farm knowledge 2. 40% of Americans farmed as a way of life in 1900 3. Today less that 1% farm 4. Average farmer today is 60 years old 5. Losing farm knowledge 6. Estimated will need 50,000,000 new farmers to feed the USA 7. Not big industrial farms, but smaller, local farms 8. Must start with young children on real farms and have real farmers work with them  Photos by Mike Kahn/Green Stock MediaQ&A for the Panel: Question 1. What cultural changes are required to make farming more attractive to young people? Stacy Carlsen: 1. What we are really asking is how to get the farm system into operation 2. Sees there parts to the present system, all of which are important and play a part: Traditional farming systems, Organic farming systems, and New Entry farming systems. Traditional systems bring stability and resources, Organic = creative niche farming, and New Entry brings innovation and energy. 3. Cannot separate the 3 parts 4. New people have money, ideas, but usually few skills 5. All people need to have access to good food 6. See government role in establishing communication between systems 7. Work with government to recognize that local agriculture is important Steve Schwartz: 1. He does not tell people to become farmers, but finds people committed to farmer then helps them 2. Immigrant farmers establishing farms in their native traditions, for example, Southeast Asian, African, and Mexican 3. Important to establish an ownership stake in farming 4. Farm knowledge coming from New York City taxi drivers – demonstrating that the immigrant community is a rich source of farm knowledge and information 5. Seeks innovative ways to provide funding for starting out in farming Mike Azzara 1. From New Jersey and Middleberry College, VT 2. Mike asked: How many full-time farmers in the audience? Part-time? Where from? 3. Has a quarter acre farm with low-income children in NEOFA = North East Organic Farming Association 4. Large demand from local citizens for organic food 5. Young people want to be farmers but know almost nothing about farming 6. Genius is nothing but great aptitude for patience 7. Training farmers in production and marketing 8. How to get into farming? & How to farm? = these are the big questions. 9. Apprenticeship program farms in Italy and NJ 10. Farms typical not dedicated to learning which presents a problem for the apprentice or intern 11. Suggest initiating many practical farming institutes and intern programs 12. Model these programs after the restaurant business and industry which apprentice under chefs – do the same thing with agriculture & sustainable farming 13. Make these a 3 year program: 1st year = learning & classes; 2nd year = working on 2 different farms for 6 mo each; 3rd year = teach at a farm Janet Brown: 1. We are talking about the future of our country 2. Food = national security 3. Food miles – as they increase use of non-renewables also increases 4. More distance = increasing use of fossil fuels 5. Must move the table closer to the farm and field 6. Community Food Security – all residents at all times must have access to food – not food banks but local community must have a vibrant food system capable of producing healthy, sustainable food. 7. US is now a net food importer – Who are we depending upon? 8. 1900 – 44% farming full-time 9. 2008 less than 1% 10. Children do not recognize farmers or understand what they do 11. Farming is difficult so if entering this field for a career better have character 12. Farming is a lifestyle and way of life 13. 70 certified organic farmers in Marin County Question 2: How to galvanize young people? Steve Schwartz: 1. With California Farm Link 2. Negotiate deals 3. Individual development accounts 4. Helps farmers with money and credit 5. Equity financing loans - for example, 300K loan at 1 and 1/2 % fixed financing through the USDA 6. Leasing of land 7. Education increasing the odds for success 8. Farming needs to be ‘cool’ and fashionable to compel young people 9. Teaching interns important Janet Brown: 1. Feeding others is farming while gardening is feeding yourself 2. Start young + experimental learning in farming – start in pre-school 3. Build intimacy with food 4. Introduce young people to farmers & show them the opportunities 5. Have farmers become role models for young people & show that there is status in farming 6. Extend home orchards & get kids to work for pay in them to generate and maintain interest through teen years – good part time jobs for teens Stacey Carlsen; 1. 240 Farms in Marin County with 150,000 acres total 2. 70 farms organically certified by USDA 3. Agricultural Commissioner established in 1881 4. All vegetable farms are organic 5. Strong support system for farmers 6. What is lacking is available, equitable housing, financing, etc. for farm workers 7. This issue must be critically reviewed as you cannot farm by yourself 8. Must pay well and must have help to do this 9. Good hours, good pay for farm workers will bring prosperity to a community’s agriculture Steve Schwartz: 1. Leasing of land is a first start and good possibility 2. Farm housing is an issue for both the farmer and the farm worker 3. Infrastructure and housing are serious issues 4. 8 to 1 ratio of 65 year old to 35 year old farmers in Calfornia 5. Look for land and provide help to small farmers via California Farm Link 6. Quality of life issues should be considered – Central Valley very different than the Coast Comments from audience: Marjorie Bender from American Livestock Breeds Conservancy 1. Dismantling of livestock farming infrastructure via Public Health regulations and laws 2. Very few livestock animals can get independently processed by USDA 3. No access to market – how to address the policy question? 4. Central processing facility – no one wants them in their neighborhood NIMBY Stacy Carlson: 1. If you want meat, you must slaughter animals 2. Mobile slaughter units = one potential solution – 50K to 250K per unit 3. Need more flexibility with public health issues
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