Overrated Career: Farmer

Farming

I was lucky enough to grow up on a family farm. Some of you would call our farm a "corporate farm" because we used/use techniques to enhance the amount of grain that goes to feeding not just local, but the world. We have been raising pigs in large buildings and using the manure to feed the crops, to make sure we are using everything up to the sequel. But this type of farming is demonized as being evil, and people from cities think that we do not care for our animals, or the land which is far from reality. We tend to all the animals to make sure they are healthy and happy. I may not have had a personal relationship with the pigs but we treated/treat all with care, and in the end they all tasted wonderful.

And then there is the grain side. I like the fact that people are growing crops organically, and you are right, farmers markets are wonderful. I have moved off the farm and farmers markets are the only place you can get produce that is as close to what came/comes out of my parents garden. But in all reality organic farming would never be able to feed the world population. Common farming practices of today are much easier on the environment then what we used 50 years ago. We lose less soil per year now, and farmers will continue to figure out ways to do it better. But the idea that all farms are corporate farms and they all destroy the world is crazy. Take a drive through Iowa someday. The average farm is still under 500 acres and most people as stated above have off farm jobs. Those that do not have off farm jobs have to farm more acres, and yes there are corporations in farming but most of the farming corporations I have dealt with are two brothers farming together to try and raise a family on a modest farm income. And I do know that with livestock there are the big guys but please do not cut down the little guys also. I just hope that someday people stop thinking that everything is done by "Corporate Farms" and actually realize what farming is and allow farmers to use technology to assist in their jobs. I don't know about most people but if they took my computer away from me, my job would be 10 times harder. Do you want to do that to the American farmer that is already working harder then most of you would dream of.

doubled of IA @ Aug 22, 2009 13:13:04 PM

Ahhh!

I am an organic farmer and a college graduate from one of the top liberal arts schools in the country. I have a waiting list of 50 people who want to join my already 210 member CSA. My day is done at 2:30 p.m. Because I live on the farm do not have to commute and therefore have more time to spend with family and friends, exercise, read, even take a pottery class, compete in running races, go hiking etc. I'm living the dream and encourage anyone interested to seriously consider doing an organic farming internship. You can make it work if you work hard for it! It is still definitely an "intellectually stimulating" occupation, of course a physically demanding one and also an incredibly fulfilling. I have an amazing community that supports me and stands by me. Get on the bus! There is a strong movement in our midst.

Thule Green of MN @ Jul 16, 2009 22:54:39 PM

Supermarkets are not that cheap!

I admit. I am contemplating starting an organic farm because I am fed up with how much the Supermarket charges for fresh produce. I live in the city, so we are limited to big box retailers and grocery chains. We are desperately wanting local producers to come into our city community to offer fresh local produce. What most people do not know is that produce is often filtered through a distributor or agent that sells to the chain stores, who then marks it up to make a profit.

Local producers sell directly to the consumer cutting out the middleman in the process and can compete with the big chain store on price while offering better quality produce.

FYI- I was going to purchase 3 apples at our mega supermarket the other day and put them back when I realize they were a $1.00 a piece.

Belinda Waters of GA @ Feb 09, 2009 11:00:36 AM

FOR GODS SAKE... FARM!!!!

The reality is the fragility of the industrial agro system will force consumers to value local food sources once again. If you have even the slightest desire talent and knowledge for sustainable ag then FARM! And the subsidies you speak of encourage a petroleum based corn grain economy to thrive way past its due. The real cost of food will need to pay paid once again and the local farmer who is there to pick up the pieces will be the savior and profiteer.

Evan R. Endres of PA @ Feb 08, 2009 20:21:42 PM

Completely Innacuracte Article W/Little Real Knowledge of Organic Farming

There are SO many innacurate statements, distortions

half-truths in this article - where do I begin. First off, the worst lie is the preposterous comment about "losing government farm subsidies due to govt cutbacks"....there are NO farm subsidies given to organic farmers by the govt. The Farm Bill gives billions to corporate agribusiness and big corporate growers NOT small, independent family farmers!

Now just WHAT is the author talking about "spending long nights at the computer" - I have many organic farmer friends and they spend their evenings with their families, recreating, etc. Being organic doesn't require more "computer time".

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THIS SECTION MAKES ZERO SENSE AND IS IRRATIONAL - why would an organic farmer decide to grow non-organic? It is not logical.....

And if you decide to grow nonorganically, you'll have to liberally use the very agrochemicals and genetically modified seed you had hoped to avoid.

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ALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO HIRE WORKERS - SO WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS COMMENT? ALL THE ORGANIC FARMERS I KNOW HAVE INTERN PROGRAMS TO TRAIN FUTURE ORGANIC FARMERS - SO BIG DEAL, ORGANIC FARMERS HAVE TO HIRE STAFF - SO DO BIG CORPORATE FARMS. I DON'T KNOW ANYONE RUNNING A FARM WHO IS THE ONLY PERSON WORKING THAT FARM.............

Indeed, to survive, you'll likely have to hire workers to tend the field. With millions of migrant workers willing to do that for near minimum wage, that option will likely be irresistible.

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A COLLEGE DEGREE IS NOT NECESSARY TO BE AN ORGANIC FARMER and NO ORGANIC FARMER IS INTEREST IN CORPORATE AGRIBUSINESS STUDIES, THEY STUDY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

And for the coup de grâce, you may indeed need a college degree, probably in agro-business, to teach you the business practices that corporations use to keep prices down.

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I've been eating organically grown food since the 1960's. I have yet to see one piece of organic fruit cost that alleged $2.00. My neighbor started a "micro-farm" by joining her backyard with another neighbor. Between the two of them they have 1/2 an acre and are growing food for CSA boxes and making money at it - reasonably priced organic food.

The author of this article seems to know very little about Farmers Market's - first of all, it doesn't require a "special trip" - since nowadays many people are flocking to Farmer's Markets to do all their grocery shopping. Here in Sacramento, the biggest farmers market has over 200 booths - you can buy everything you need in one-stop-shopping. I go there every single Sunday and it is 40% cheaper than going to Safeway or a mega-mart. Not only are prices MUCH cheaper at farmer's market, it's a FREE social recreational activity. I see all the "regulars" and hang out with my friends.

princess fifi trixibelle of CA @ Feb 06, 2009 01:59:02 AM

The point of this article is that it is very difficult to make a good living at what might seem like a bucolic way of life as a farmer. The point is to remind folks with romantic visions of farming that it is demanding and risky. Those are facts.

It may be true that farmer's markets are popular, but when unemployment goes up and stock markets go down, people may start to look for cheaper alternatives. As for me, I love my farmer's market and food co-ops and do not mind paying a premium for the high quality food.

P.S. @ Art Teacher I'm a city girl who lives in a farming state and I say these bachelor farmers need to get online and start courting some city girls! (I know, easier said than done.)

of MN @ Jan 16, 2009 01:26:43 AM

Benefits to Buying Locally

The wholistic approach includes supporting locally grown businesses (often with co-ops: one can pay monthly for weekly fare). When we are looking at the whole "green" problem and trying to avoid the fragmentation of civilization that isolates us, we must consider trucking, the resultant dependency fostered on oil, not knowing where our food is actually grown, (as in the cases of poisoning), and the fact that eating locally better protects our health for the season, as well as our neighbors' businesses! Local movements and 'Slow Food' community movements help eliminate pollution and keep healthy small business and neighborhood economies, which was the backbone of America.

Leslie Moss of AZ @ Jan 06, 2009 16:18:43 PM

It is a risky business

I am a teacher married for 30 years to a farmer in Iowa. If it weren't for my off-farm income, we would have "lost the farm" several times. It is wonderful to see the resurgence of consumer interest in farm to table commodities. Will this continue, or is the love of the perfect apple still a driving factor in choosing our food? We would never give up our lifestyle, but every one of our three children have little interest in living in "the middle of nowhere" and barely making it. (Though they have all said they will love the fact that their children can visit an idyllic place.)

Another element that wasn't touched upon is that many of our neighbors are unmarried bachelor farmers in their 50's. They are unhappy with the final outcome of the grueling hours that they have spent to build up their farms, and now have no wife or children to pass it on to. (Again, living in the "middle of nowhere" has an impact.)

Farming is a tough gig, but it is a satisfying one. Thanks for your interesting article.

artteacher of IA @ Dec 16, 2008 00:33:06 AM