Family farms are the backbone of American agriculture. Not only do they make up 98 percent of the two million farms in this country, but they also produce 88 percent of agricultural products sold and purchased nationally.
While some large-scale farms have been bought out by large corporations intent on making a profit, generational family farms remain an essential part of the country’s agricultural industry. Their importance goes beyond the food and goods they produce. They also carry on time-honored farming traditions, support their local rural communities, and move the industry forward by being at the forefront of sustainable, environmentally friendly farming practices.
What Is a Generational Farm?
Generational farms are those that have been owned and passed down through multiple generations of the same family. Many generational farms have been in the family for decades or even centuries, with land and knowledge being passed down from grandfather to granddaughter, from mother to son.
Farming isn’t just a job for generational farmers. It’s a rewarding way of life, allowing them to run their own businesses, gain a deep understanding of their land, and maintain strong connections with their family members and local communities.
There’s no doubt that modern agriculture also comes with a lot of hard work and challenges. Many farmers face economic pressure to keep their farms profitable and sustainable for future generations.
By using detailed knowledge of the land and staying committed to environmentally friendly practices wherever possible, these families develop a complex understanding of how to maximize their yields while also maintaining the land’s long-term health.
Let’s look at some of the many benefits of keeping farms within the family and why generational farms matter.
They Preserve Agricultural Knowledge
For centuries, it was expected that when farmers retired, they would hand their family farms down to their children. While that practice may be less common today, passing the ownership of a farm on to family members is a sure way to help preserve valuable agricultural knowledge.
Farming isn’t a career that can be learned overnight or from a textbook alone. It requires a deep, thorough understanding of local ecosystems, weather patterns, soil health, crop cycles, harvesting practices, and much more.
Every piece of land is different, even within the same region. Young people who grow up working on the family farm will gain hands-on experience and understand how to deal with its unique requirements.
Working on a farm for decades and learning from their parents and grandparents along the way gives farmers a deep knowledge of local ecosystems and sustainable agricultural practices. This helps preserve invaluable agricultural knowledge that this next generation of farmers can then pass on to their own children.
They Strengthen Rural Communities
Rural communities across America today face unique challenges. Nearly half of all people living in rural areas say that job availability and access to grocery stores are serious challenges. Farms help bridge that gap by providing rural communities with much-needed jobs and fresh food, which can be sold at local farmers’ markets.
Family farms rarely operate solo. It’s common for them to have close ties to other farmers, vendors and coordinators at local markets, and other people and groups within their surrounding communities. Keeping the farm within the family helps preserve these valuable personal and business relationships for many years to come.
They Support Sustainable Practices
Generational farms have long been at the forefront of sustainable farming practices. Family farmers don’t just view themselves as people who work on their land. They also see themselves as stewards who have a long-standing commitment to their land and the surrounding environment.
Potato farmers in Washington, for example, use innovative farming techniques like crop rotation, regenerative farming practices, and water conservation through drip irrigation. Committing to these sustainable practices and always searching for new methods ensures a higher crop yield with less impact on soil fertility and local water supply.
Sustainability is important for the current success and financial viability of a farm, but it’s just as important for future generations of farmers who will grow up to inherit the land.
They Support Long-Term Economic Stability
Large-scale industrial farms represent 2.1 percent of farms in the United States and make up 12 percent of total production. Many are driven primarily by shareholder profits and short-term financial gains rather than by a commitment to the land and the surrounding communities.
Family-owned farms, on the other hand, prioritize the long-term financial stability of not only their own farms but also their local communities. Having a strong presence within the community means that a farmer is less likely to abandon their farm should times get tough.
They Have a Deep-Rooted Commitment to Farming Traditions
There’s no doubt about it: Farming is hard work and can come with serious challenges. But at the end of a long, hard day, family farmers remain deeply committed to their land and their way of life.
When you choose goods produced by family farms, you’ll enjoy high-quality products that have been perfected using techniques dating back generations. Family farms are run by experienced farmers whose knowledge has been refined over decades of hard work. They ensure that their customers receive only the highest-quality potatoes, peaches, tomatoes, meat, and other products.
They Ensure Long-Term Stewardship of the Land
In many parts of the US, rural areas are threatened by urban sprawl and land fragmentation. This happens when large pieces of land are broken up to be sold to multiple owners, rather than being owned by one family.
Fragmentation can lead to overcultivation of the land, causing serious issues with soil fertility and land health. It can also lead to land being repurposed for non-agricultural use, which threatens local rural economies.
The long-term success of our country’s land depends on family farms and their commitment to conserving open space and supporting small, rural economies. By keeping farmland in the hands of a single family for multiple generations, family farms help ensure that the land and local communities remain productive and sustainable for all the future generations to come.
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