The Original How-to Magazine of Alternative and Traditional Crops, Livestock, and Direct Marketing—Established 1984
Editorials...
From the Ridge:
Mar/Apr 2008: Water, Water...
Jan/Feb 2008: Keeping the Fire Going
Sep/Dec 2007: A Look Back, and Moving On
Jul/Oct 2007: The Truth: An Irate Editorial
May/Jun 2007: Carbon Credits
Mar/Apr 2007: A New Year
Jul-Oct 2006: Say No to NAIS
May/Jun 2006: Planning Ahead
Jan/Feb 2006: Reading This Magazine
Nov/Dec 2005: Show Lessons
Sep/Oct 2005: A Farm by any Other Name...
Jul/Aug 2005: Poor Planning: Patenting Life and Preemptive Laws
May/Jun 2005: The Best Show in the Country
Mar/Apr 2005: Our Connection to the Earth
Jan/Feb 2005: Pricing Your Product
Nov/Dec 2004: Better Than Ever
Sep/Oct 2004: A Risky Business
Jul/Aug 2004: Sustainable Ag in Danger in Missouri
May/Jun 2004: Spring Renewal
Mar/Apr 2004: A Mostly Happy Anniversary to Us
Jan/Feb 2004: What Are Your Plans?
Nov/Dec 2003: Ramblings From the Ridge
Sep/Oct 2003: Some Risks You Have to Take
Jul/Aug 2003: Problems with the Farm Problem—Technology is Not the Answer
May/Jun 2003: Planning for the Show
Mar/Apr 2003: Old Breeds and Old Seeds
Jan/Feb 2003: A New Year, A New Cycle
Dec 2002: Start Planning Now! The New Year Brings New Opportunities!
Sep/Oct/Nov 2002: The Show is Here! Ten Years and Still Growing!
Jul/Aug 2002: Saving Seeds Makes Your Farm More Sustainable
May/Jun 2002: 10,000 for the 10th Show
Mar/Apr 2002: Biotechnology is NOT Saving the World
Jan/Feb 2002: Farm Numbers Dwindling? They Don't Have To.
Nov/Dec 2001: The Farm Program. Yes or No? or Why?
Sep/Oct 2001: Nothing is Inevitable
Jul/Aug 2001: A Problem With Soybeans
May/Jun 2001: Changes in Current Farming (and an apology)
Mar/Apr 2001: Trade Show Talk
Jan/Feb 2001: Changing Our Thinking
Nov/Dec 2000: Good Life, Good Money
Sep/Oct 2000: The GM Blues
Jul/Aug 2000: Eurofarming
May/Jun 2000: Doom and Gloom and Optimism
Mar/Apr 2000: Opportunity Knocks
Jan/Feb 2000: 2000 and Beyond
Oct/Nov/Dec 1999: Choosing the Right Solutions
Aug/Sep 1999: Attitude for Success
Jun/Jul 1999: Sex in the Field–and in the Laboratory
Apr/May 1999: The More Things Change...
Feb/Mar 1999: Protecting the Future
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Rebecca DeCourley
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Doom and Gloom and Optimism
Editorial from the May/June 2000 issue of Small Farm Today® magazine.
Being a farmer means you are guaranteed to have to take some bad with the good. Here we are in the spring planting season, the time of renewal, and bad news seems everywhere. Forecasts are for a dry year in many parts of the country, and I have heard predictions that some states may lose as many as one in four of their farmers in the next 12 months.
I was recently in southern Missouri, and stopped by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (2278 Baker Creek Rd, Mansfield MO 65704; 417-924-8917; www.rareseeds.com) to pick up some seeds and catch up on the news. This is a national (but small) seed company started by a young man during his high school years. They also operate an on-site store where you can buy a variety of seeds (earlier in the year is better, of course–they were out of many by the time I arrived). The owner can be justifiably proud of what he has created and the work he is doing to help preserve our genetic diversity.
On my next trip, I will stop by Morgan County Wholesale (18761 Kelsey Rd, Barnett MO 65011-3009; 573-378-2655) to visit another young man for more seeds and news. He, too, started a catalog which is available nationwide. Both of these men are doing an excellent job of supplying their fellow small farmers with the seeds and equipment they want and need. There are obviously other–and bigger–seed places, but the unbridled enthusiasm for agriculture–the dreams and goals of these two–impresses me very much.
How can they be so happy and productive in light of the current agricultural crisis and all the bad news about agriculture we are constantly bombarded with?
I believe it is because they are doing what they do for more than just the money. They love what they do and they believe in the small farm movement and the values it promotes. Yes, they must make a profit, but their business goals also include a cause–something in which they believe and are willing to strive for excellence. They have a reason to get out of bed and charge forward each morning. They are small farm heroes.
Here at home, last year was one of our poorest planting seasons. My first planting of corn did not come up, either due to the weather or a nearby farmer's sprays. I was handicapped by time devoted to writing my book and working more at the magazine due to personnel shortages, plus health problems, and I planted much less, and much later, than usual. I did not find time to do my usual feeder pig-to-sausage project, the dry weather stunted everything, my marketing efforts were below par, and a dog killed some of my lambs.
I still enjoyed what I was able to do–and I still made a profit.
If you practice diversity, plant sustainably, and develop your markets properly, there can be hope, even in the worst of times. It requires work–but even more, it requires dreams.
The beauty of this magazine, for me, is the network of small farm friends I have accumulated that I can lean on when I am down or discouraged.
There are thousands of small farm heroes in every state in the Union. Talk to them, get new ideas, and draw from their strength and convictions. Work at what you want to do, be ever-optimistic, and you will be one of those heroes for someone else.
The mood at all the traditional ag trade shows I attended recently is gloomy. Farmers are talking about the tough times, talking about quitting, talking about how they cannot afford anything. In contrast, the mood at small farm shows has been mostly optimistic–our National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference™ being the prime example. We had more people–over 3,250 from 44 states–more ideas, and more enthusiasm than ever before.
This year, the National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference™ takes place November 3-4, in Columbia, Missouri, brought to by this magazine, and sponsored by Alpha Ag, Stachowski Alpacas, Orscheln's, Liar's Lake, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Beef Council, MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and USDA-CREES SARE program. This is a great place to network with some of the small farm heroes I have talked about.
The level of excitement and enthusiasm, and the number of small farmers of all ages participating, sharing, and going back home with knowledge to share with their community is phenomenal. As they say, you have to be there to really experience it. I know November is still a long way off, but if you have not attended the Show in the past, make it a point to be there this year. You will go home with a basket of literature, plus enough ideas and contacts to make your winter planning season productive.
Even as many farmers leave the business, more small farmers enter the field. Successful small farm retail businesses of all types are springing up all over the country and networking with each other.
This gives me the heart to believe that the small family farm can not only survive, but prosper.
The world is an exciting place, and has some wonderful people in it. They are more than willing to share and help you achieve your dreams. All you have to do is ask!
Happy and Profitable Farming,
Ron Macher
Publisher/Farmer