Joel Salatin on the "Regeneration Generation" and Young Farmers

Again, please bear with me while I only post short links to other interesting sources – exam season is upon us! 

If you need something to listen to while cooking a leisurely Friday dinner to start this weekend in a relaxed fashion, consider this episode of Greenhorn Radio, where a young farmer interviews Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms (who is renowned for his innovative farming practices and was featured in Michael Pollan’s Omnivore Dilemma).

They talk about the future of farming, the necessity of getting more young people involved and excited about farming, and the challenges that need to be overcome, such as the high start-up costs of buying land and/or an entire farm. Joel makes some great suggestions, such as having young farmers lease parts of the land that older farmers cannot be bothered to use, and talks about the internship program at Polyface Farms, where young folks can discover the practical aspects of farming and stay on pursuing their own projects if they feel like it.

Overall, the talk creates a certain hopeful atmosphere that this generation of young farmers have a different mentality and will turn things around if only they get the chance of implementing their new ideas. As Joel said,

“I think that this young generation, people from ages 17-30, is realizing that they are going to have to be the re-generation generation… many young people are ready to embrace a farming vocation if they feel like they can make a living at it.”

The program is around 40 minutes long, but again – why not take a break in your busy day and make a nice meal out of your farmers’ market bounty while thinking about the future of farming?

Listen to the episode here.

What do you think of the ideas mentioned that would make it easier for up-and-coming ‘greenhorn’ farmers?