Statistically speaking, the American farmer is getting old. According
to the Census of Agriculture, released by the USDA, the age of the average
American farmer is nearly 59 years old. This average has slowly been creeping
upward for the past 20 years. If left unchecked, this trend could have serious
consequences for farming in the future.
In order to address and combat what could very well be a farmer
shortage in the years to come, numerous organizations at the 100th annual
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention are determined to educate,
interest and engage young people across the U.S. in the history of husbandry,
the science of agriculture and the opportunities for those who wish to pursue
farming as a career.
4-H, the USDA’s own youth organization, operating under the auspices of
the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, strives to instill a
strong sense of citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering and
conquering problems through technology. Many of these initiatives are presented
with an eye toward agricultural applications.
“Our motto is ‘To make the best better’ and our slogan is ‘Learn by
doing,’” explained Gabrielle Fontenot of Louisiana 4-H, who was on hand for the
convention in New Orleans. “We’re here at the convention to showcase that these
are things worth learning and can definitely help young people in their
futures.”
Headquartered at the U.S. Department of Education’s Offices of
Vocational and Adult Education, the National FFA is a “career and technical
student organization…based on middle and high school classes that promote and
support agricultural education.”
The efforts to involve and interest students in farming is not
restricted to just teenagers. The Genesee County Farm Bureau (GCFB), located in
western New York State, was at the AFBF convention exhibiting its
“Kinderfarmin’” program. Kinderfarmin’ is a premier event of the local farm
bureau. Taking place annually, the event “engages all kindergarteners throughout
the county,” according to GCFB Pro Education Chair Natasha Sutherland. “Local
dairy farms take turns hosting the event where students, teachers and parents
alike explore the world of our county’s largest agricultural industry.”
GCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Co-Chair Emmaline Long added that the
event includes “hands-on learning stations, interactive demonstrations and
guided farm tours.” These activities are meant to teach children the importance
of farming in their daily lives and – hopefully – spark an interest in farming
as a profession when they grow up.
For more information on these organizations, visit www.4h.org, www.ffa.org and www.geneseecountyfarmbureau.com.
