Five Friday Favorites: Farmers' Teachers

Just yesterday, we reposted words from One-Woman Farm author Jenna Woginrich about the importance of community in teaching the next generation of people who will take up the reins.

This got me thinking: Where do young people who do not have the skills  — “in their blood,” as it were — who don’t come from a long line of farming families or makers, find the kind of seasoned wisdom that can come only from those who have done it before them? How is the farming and food community paving the way for its next generation?  Here are some educators and innovators doing the good work. Happy Friday! — Emily Spiegelman, Digital Features Editor

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“An eager generation of young Americans is motivated to farm, but, like us, they need land and few will be able to secure it without help.” How strengthening conservation easements can play a vital role in making farmland accessible to young farmers.

“We do believe that people come at it at the dinner table…We theme each of the meals to teach people to reconnect to the land, reconnect to themselves, reconnect to the community at the table.” Two winners of the Mother Earth News Homesteaders of the Year Award for 2013 recognize the farm as valuable education space, for consumers and future farmers alike.

“It’s hard to tell you’re going to be a farmer. They just kind of…scoff.” Watch the trailer. Really.

“With the age of the average butcher, like the age of the average farmer, continuing to go up every year, removing barriers to entry for new, young producers could revitalize the industry.” Other corners of the food industry have an eye on the future makers.

“In the past, most farmers learned to farm by,well, farming. That isn’t really the case today.” One way to teach farming skills? Farm school (including one right here in western MA). 

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Inside Storey readers, what are you loving online this week? Share your favorites with us in the comments! 

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