As 2011 comes to an end, I’d like to look forward to 2012 with optimism. The upcoming presidential elections could make a big difference in the direction our country is taking. Hopefully, whatever the results of the election, it will be a good year for agriculture. According to statistics, every 17 seconds the U.S. population increases by 1 person. That is taking into consideration birth and death rates and net migration. With this increasing population, it is very important that farmers are able to grow nutritious and accessible food to feed their neighbors. Hopefully, new policies will make this easier.
I dream of one day owning a small farm—enough land to support a few beef and milk cows, one or two pigs and some chickens. I’d love to grow some of my own food and have some left over to sell locally. I would love to raise my children in the country with the responsibilities and opportunities that come from living on a farm. I have a lot of friends who are raising their families on farms and I see the gratitude they have for their good fortune.
Starting a farm from scratch is a daunting task—not one I’m sure I’m ready for this year. There are a lot of obstacles to becoming a beginning farmer. I’d have to find a farm with enough land to support my animals—not an inexpensive proposition as land prices are rising. I think a large part of what scares me is the economics of farming. How will I know if I can afford to own a farm and who can help me achieve this goal? There are a number of opportunities available for beginning and young farmers. The American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher program puts on a national conference for young farmers in conjunction with a beginning farmer conference this year. I have seen beginning farmer talks advertised at universities and there are opportunities for funding if one searches. It’s promising that there seem to be more opportunities and support for beginning farmers. I know as I get closer to starting a farm, I’ll definitely be taking advantage of some.