The Family Farm

I did not grow up on a family farm or a part of a farming styled household. Yet, after 11 years of working with livestock, I truly can say that family farms are one of God’s many unique creations.

The idea of a family farm passed down from generation to generation is seeming to be almost extinct Here in the midwest I have seen more and more family farms sold off and turned into subdivisions for building family homes. A white picket fence now stands where an electrical fence once held cattle back from the old cracked back road. To me that is heartbreaking.

PC: Nicole Steffl Fuchs

Family farms are very important to their communities and wildlife around them. Not only do they feed their local communities, but they preserve land for the wildlife that live in their fields and eat from their land. “Additionally, keeping families on the farm will practically guarantee the preservation of green space within the community. While they’re around, no large company can take the land and turn into an industrial playground. These farming families will also give back to their communities by supporting small businesses with their purchases for goods and services.” (FamilyFarms Group)

There are many reasons for a family farm to be sold. A common reason seems to be that the farmer runs out of money and can no longer afford to run the operation. This is always a sad and stressful thing to watch anyone go through as they loose their dream. Often times there is no interest in family members to continue the family farming business and so it is sold. Another reason farmers selling their farms acer by acer to subdivision builders is for the sheer fact that their is more value in selling their land than continuing to work it.in. Despite the reason It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the farming besold out of the family name, it is always sad and slighting disturbing.

I love the idea of a family farm for so many great reasons. Family farms, running generations deep, are an instrumental part of our food supply. It’s inspiring to see one multiple generations of a family working together in order to keep the farm going and in the family name.

Family farming is also a very smart way of running business, especially for the large farms that work together. When many farms work as a team it creates a secure environment for the farmers and families that take part. The family farms that benefit the greatest are those who are generations deep in their ways and lifestyle. “Farming families that stay together on the farm through several generations have a huge competitive advantage. According to Joe Kluender, agribusiness consultant for LarsonAllen, these families put themselves in a better position to buy land, invest in larger and more modern facilities for their business, and diversify simply because they have grown together.” (FamilyFarms Group

PC: Mary Earle

Family farms are also known for being a bit old fashion with their animals. They take their time and let the animals grow naturally and know each animal by their personality and name. Many times the livestock is out on pasture or has ample room to roam, with veterinary care as needed. Many family farms have specific breeding programs for their livestock especially as many of the farm kids show their livestock through FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4H. These opportunities are brought to them by local events, communities, and even organizations like the NCBA (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.) “More than 1,000 cattlemen and women have graduated from the program, designed to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and expose them to all aspects of the beef industry.” (Exploring Beef)

Programs like these are helping to get the next generation of beef farms into their community and country. These organizations are helping to keep family farming alive and thriving, by teaching the importance of responsibility, leadership, and communication to the youth that participate in their programs.

PC: Hannah Hoffman

Community programs such as 4H are pushing to keep agriculture in the minds of many. Even though this type of organization is set up for children and teens in agricultural environments, it is still open to anyone who wishes to join. This program is not only keeping farming alive, it is teaching the importance of it. The 4H website states their mission as: .“4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country—through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.”

I personally have been in 4H for six years now showing horses and creative arts projects. If it wasn’t for my local 4h club I would never have gotten interested in agriculture. This program has showed me a lot about leadership in both life and on the farm. It has struck my interest in beef cattle and is one of the main reasons I am looking into family farms.

The future of the family run farm is at its highest risk of going into extinction ever. Farmers are being forced to work into the later years of their lives in order to keep the family farm in business. “As the age of farmers and ranchers in the beef industry climbs higher—the average age of a cattle rancher is 61—investing in the development of the next generation increases in importance. While cattlemen already contribute time and funds to youth organizations such as FFA and 4-H, the industry also provides leadership development to younger farmers and ranchers, in essence building strong future business leaders and community members.” (Exploring Beef)

PC: Farmgirl Photography

Family farms are an amazing way to live and keep the family farm in the family name. These people work to keep their dreams and the dreams of the generations to come alive. Not only are they feeding the world, but they are feeding their own families and the people right around them, in their own communities. These farmers and ranchers fascinate me and one day I hope to be able to be apart of a family farm.

“Growing up on a family farm, I know firsthand the challenges of running a small business... challenges that only seem to be growing for today's entrepreneurs. “ Sam Graves”

-Jaksen

Resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mi2eqvJDFIDAMAq8X_-EbUk7QiVGb-ArWk8YsS159ug/edit#

http://www.explorebeef.org/cmdocs/explorebeef/imcsrcommunities.pdf

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/family_farm.html