Definitely can see this, I have saved link for the paper to add to my list to read. I think also, maybe there needs to be some focus on retaining recent new farmers. They've already done some of the hardest work and now they're burnt out. As you said, bringing new people in isn't just what's needed, the whole thing needs reform and redesign for all aspects, the farmers, environment and production.
This article reallllly rings true for me from my own experience. With some friends, I tried and failed for years to become a "beginning farmer" due to some of the challenges you describe here. Eventually I gave up and now I just help out established farmers on their own projects. Too often this means following old practices and principles that we need to move beyond to create a truly "sustainable" agriculture. Totally agreed that the popular conversation around agriculture, including among ecologically-minded people, is mostly not addressing important core issues.
Definitely can see this, I have saved link for the paper to add to my list to read. I think also, maybe there needs to be some focus on retaining recent new farmers. They've already done some of the hardest work and now they're burnt out. As you said, bringing new people in isn't just what's needed, the whole thing needs reform and redesign for all aspects, the farmers, environment and production.
This article reallllly rings true for me from my own experience. With some friends, I tried and failed for years to become a "beginning farmer" due to some of the challenges you describe here. Eventually I gave up and now I just help out established farmers on their own projects. Too often this means following old practices and principles that we need to move beyond to create a truly "sustainable" agriculture. Totally agreed that the popular conversation around agriculture, including among ecologically-minded people, is mostly not addressing important core issues.
Great post. I'm going to read the paper too.