As some of the 99 percent demonstrate against the wealthy 1 percent, there’s another 1 percent who deserve our attention. That 1 percent is roughly the percentage of the population key to the survival of all of us: farmers.
Of equal concern is the average age of farmers: about 57 (down from 65).
Many farms have grown so big and involve such expensive equipment that young people wanting to become farmers, who don’t inherit one, can’t afford it.
A recent local event, though, showed that young people are making their agricultural dreams happen on a different scale and with the tools at hand. A key tool unique to their generation is social media.
The event took place at the Marys River Grange Hall south of Philomath. The invitation went out on listserves, Facebook and email for young farmers, chefs and food entrepreneurs to gather, network and see a movie called “The Greenhorns,” about young farmers.
The place was packed. Well more than a hundred folks from at least four counties met new, like-minded people and enjoyed food and beverages grown and made nearby.
The movie was the result of more than three years and 300 hours of filming young farmers across the country, edited down to about an hour by its director/producer, a young agrarian herself, Severine von Tscharner Fleming. It was received with nods and chuckles of recognition, outright laughter, some serious reflection — and applause for Fleming, who was there and who tours the country, encouraging such networking.
The Greenhorns is also a grassroots nonprofit organization of young folks aimed at agricultural reform so they, too, can help feed their communities and country. Today’s easier communication channels and online networking gives support to those who put in very long hours farming, often working alone or those wanting to become farmers.
If you’re considering farming, or care about where food will come from in the next few years, graze the Greenhorns website: www.thegreenhorns.net. You’ll find resources, how-to guides, a blog, the movie trailer, profiles and even radio shows. And, always, people who understand the dreams and challenges faced by young farmers.
The National Young Farmers Coalition is another exciting result of the Greenhorns evolution because it finally gives young farmers on smaller acreages representation in Washington, D.C. The social media that’s bringing them together virtually and literally also gives them a way to voice their opinions and help shape their futures. They’re passionate about farming, but they need health care, resources and representation just like the rest of us.
This isn’t the first event at the Marys River Grange of late. Part of the magic of the Greenhorns evening was remembering that the building has hosted generations of young farm families since its inception in 1933. It was on the verge of demitting from the National Grange Association until young farmers and supporters breathed new life into it, just as they are small-scale farming itself.