Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Director: What are the opportunities for people who want to enter agriculture?

Back to Leopold Letter Fall 2007

By JERRY DeWITT, Leopold Center director

Q. What are the opportunities for people who want to enter agriculture?

I have been hearing a lot on this topic lately. In fact, we receive almost daily calls and e-mails asking for advice on how to get started in agriculture. Questions come not only from young people full of energy and ideas, but also from people in my own generation (and beyond) who are seeking a second career. The lure of being on the land or close to the land seems to be calling these individuals to agriculture.

I have been particularly elated that some Iowa State University students stop in to share their ideas with us and to ask for advice. They are looking for enterprises that could be integrated into existing family farm operations. It is incredibly exciting, to see younger people with new ideas for change and who want to explore the opportunities they see in Iowa agriculture. They are looking for ways to balance their dreams with real life and make their place on the farm with Mom and Dad.

I am even more inspired by what I hear from people in my own generation. These are the Moms and Dads who are willing to carve out land in an existing operation – in some cases as many as 80 acres – to allow their sons and daughters an opportunity to explore new enterprises, new activities and new hopes.

Others who bring questions to us are searching for smaller enterprises to supplement their income and keep them busy part-time on the farm. We call these individuals the “begin-again farmers.” Many of them are just like me, one generation off the farm but itching to get back into agriculture. Like me, they want to touch the soil and walk the ground each day.

At the Leopold Center, both audiences are very important in our work. New farmers and begin-again farmers offer increased value and stability to agriculture and rural communities. One brings new dreams, energy and a vision to the landscape, while the other provides experience, equity and a tangible, visible commitment.

The Leopold Center will continue to work with a set of diverse audiences. We will listen and honor their desire to sustain Iowa agriculture.

Q. What are some of the ideas you are hearing from people? What are they talking about?

These topics seem to be attracting the most interest:

  • Grass-based agriculture. Finishing cattle on grass especially for the organic market is increasingly popular. The lack of slaughter facilities seems to be the stumbling block for organic growth at this time.
  • Alternative swine production. Two options to access specialty markets are pasture-farrowing and hoop-finishing.
  • Direct marketing of vegetables. This supplies the local market to CSAs and farmers markets. A number of people hope to advance the institutional food service market as well.
  • Goats. Some people are taking a serious look at these alternative meat products that appeal to growing ethnic markets. Marketing does not seem to be a big issue (although fencing is!).
  • High-tunnel production. This seems to be a popular way to extend the season for vegetable and berry production.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for current opportunities in Iowa agriculture. And the Leopold Center is committed to being a part of this invigorating, new agriculture.

Back to Leopold Letter Fall 2007