It could well be said that farming is the world’s most vital industry. We all need food, and farmers are the ones that supply it. However, the industry’s image is less than stellar, and it is not widely seen as a career worth pursuing.
This is party because it seems like hard work, and the industry seems to be quite old fashioned. These perceptions are outdated, and desperately need to change if the industry is to draw in the best and brightest farmers for the future ahead.
The Workforce
In 1870, half of all employed Americans were farmers. Today, that number has dropped to a mere 2%. This is mostly due to the rise of the production industry, as technology has become a huge part of daily farm operations.
However, there are many problems facing farms today, that can be immediately addressed. This largely involves the globalized market and the challenges it presents.
Who Works On A Farm?
The US census gives us a general idea of who the average American farmer is. Age is the biggest issue here: on average, farmers are around 57 years old. That number grows higher every year, meaning farmers are now older than ever before.
There is also a tendency to merge smaller farmers into larger ones, thus placing more pressure on small family farms. This is likely to be a long-term problem, one that must be solved systematically with a long-term plan in mind.
The Future Ahead
It’s important for farmers to plan for the future, and to separate myth from fact when it comes to innovative methods such as sustainable farming. It’s wrong to think that new methods are automatic money sieves, even if some are more expensive ways of operating. For instance, sustainable farming provides a niche market for those who care about food produced responsibly.
Farming Is High-Tech
In the broad scheme of things, farming is now such a high-tech industry that it can be considered a tech-centric field. The industry is anything but old fashioned, and can’t function today without adopting the latest technologies.
Most farmers are already using the Internet of Things, automated vehicles, and drones on their farms. Many also use cameras to monitor their land at all times. Additional sophistications can be used to monitor things such as soil quality and plant growth.
Connections
Farms are essential for the food industry to thrive, and this connection must be emphasized when it comes to public opinion. This will require more than a marketing stunt. Farm-to-table restaurants are the future, and farmers should market themselves as such.
Emphasizing Importance
Farming plays a vital role in all our lives, and it’s time to start treating it as such. It is especially crucial that the role is emphasized with young and urban people. They are the demographic most needed by the industry.
Farming should be seen as something that connects us as a community, and with nature itself.
Conclusion
The farming industry needs a public relations makeover. Farm owners themselves are getting older, and the industry needs fresh faces and a positive public outlook to thrive in the years ahead.