A Discussion of Agriculture in Southern Maryland

In the first series post, I described marketing and climatic advantages that make Maryland an attractive location for new agricultural ventures. In last week’s post, I highlighted land preservation and regulatory efforts to support farming. A few tough issues remain for identifying and recruiting enough Maryland farmers for the future. In this, the third and final post on recruiting new Maryland farmers, I discuss ag in the schools, access to farmland, and educating the consumer.

Many millennials seem to have a genuine interest in farming, but most have not had access to farmer education. A few are pursuing the programs outlined in part 2 once they leave high school or college despite the lack of access to ag in the classroom. Exposure to a career in agriculture should be introduced much earlier in life.

Back in the 1970s, many school systems throughout the country stopped offering agricultural classes and Future Farmers of America programs. I recall that 1977 was the last year that the Calvert County School System offered ag classes. The graduates of the last FFA classes include many prominent County farmers today, such as Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Earl (Buddy) Hance, Walt Wells, and Wilson Freeland. When ag in the classroom ended, few young people considered agriculture as a career. That is why I am so pleased that agriculture is being re-introduced in many of the Maryland school systems, including 40 high schools, with the assistance of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

Another challenge for those interested in farming is finding a place to farm.   Maryland Extension programs provide ag training regardless of land ownership. However, the question remains, how can you farm if you do not own or lease land? In the last year, University of Maryland Extension has been making it easier to work through the farmland lease process. A new guide, Agricultural Leasing in Maryland, has been developed to assist land seekers and land owners address key issues to help insure  an amicable and successful working relationship.

Still, if you lack experience in farming,  it will be a challenge to find banks who will lend you money, or land owners who will lease you land. Already, a few nonprofits are stepping up to identify incubator sites for new farmers to learn their trade and start their businesses. Once the new farmers establish their business plans and resumes, they will be able to compete for land to lease or purchase.

The final issue is educating the consumer. By nature, we are all looking for good deals–for the most product at the lowest cost. Food shopping is no different. In the last 60 years, Americans have been blessed with lower cost food, which has allowed them to spend more on other items. In 1929, Americans spent 22.7% of household disposable income on food. In 2011, the number had dropped to around 11%. The industrialization of farming and advances in genetics and pesticide management have helped to reduce food costs and more recently trade agreements have introduced lower priced farm products as the food industry has globalized. Today, 39% of all fruits sold in America are imported and about 20% of all vegetables are imported, according to the USDA.

In Maryland, locally sourced food is worth the price. The recent collapse of the clothing manufacture facility in Bangladesh has reminded us of  the consequences of making “cost” the primary determinant on purchasing from the global markets. Trade agreements rarely consider labor or environmental standards.  In addition to touting the freshness and flavor of the food produced, farmers  need to inform consumers about how their products are produced and under what conditions. In Maryland, the advantages of purchasing locally sourced food are reinforced at the Maryland’s Best website, as  part of the Maryland  Farm to School Programs and during the Buy Local Challenge issued every year, during the last full week of July.

While more work is needed with respect to ag education, access to land and educating the consumer, Maryland seems to be on the right track to assist in the establishment of the next generation of Maryland farmers.

Knowledge does not automatically result in action. We know we should not eat certain foods. We know we should exercise more. And yet often we are not motivated to do what our brain tells us we should do.

On the other hand, we are sometimes motivated to do things that our brain would never approve. An example would be those who rushed toward the blast in Boston to rescue others out of concern, duty, and affection.

Joe-Sam Swann at North Beach Farmers Market

For many consumers, purchasing local food may begin as an act of knowledge. We have heard national food recalls, we fear mad cow disease, etc., and we want to know more about how our food is raised. The act of purchasing local food may also come out of curiosity. We hear that a certain farmers’ market is a pleasurable experience and we decide to try it out. We may even buy from a local farmer because we have learned that local food purchases help the local economy. But what brings us back to the farmers’ market, the CSA, the farm stand, is an act of affection.

Twentieth century philosopher said that “To settle in a place is to accept the responsibility for creating it.” In a society where most people move every five years, it is harder to find people willing to accept a role in the place where they live. Most are consumers of community services, not builders of community. However, the desire to belong and to be part of a vibrant caring community is strong in most people. Within that desire lies room for affection.

Those in our community who have chosen to supply food to the table realize the high start-up costs, the challenges of weather, the competition by industrial and foreign competitors, and lack of viable insurance protection. Many are drawn to farming to witness the miracle of the seed, to spend their days tending farm animals, to work outdoors, and to work independently. Those who stick with it, do it out of affection for their farm, for their family, and for their customers.

When we don’t settle in a community, we don’t know most of the people. When my dad was growing up in Calvert County, he said that if he went to Prince Frederick and he didn’t recognize someone, he would ask who it was. That is no longer the case. When I go to Prince Frederick, I am pleased if I recognize more than a few people at the big stores. However, when I go to the mom and pop stores, the roadside stands, and the North Beach Farmers Market, it feels like old home week. Farmers need to be able to tell their stories, such as why they farm and the way they farm, so that customers can get to know them. At farmers’ markets, CSA pickups, and roadside stands, farmers can greet their customers, share a smile and a handshake, and perhaps chat. Fortunately, there are also many forms of social media that can help complete the “stories”, such as websites, facebook, blogs, and twitter feeds.

Locally sourced food is fresher. Farmers can grow varieties  for flavor rather than shelf life. Buying locally sourced food creates jobs and helps the local economy. However, farmer success is based on community support and affection! And, quoting Wendell Berry,  ”It is in affection that we find the possibility of a neighborly, kind, and conserving economy.”