Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds. ~ thomas jefferson
AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE COURAGE TO START A NEW FARM
by melane kinney hoffmann
As industrial-scale farming grows, multinational conglomerates produce the equipment, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and farming supplies that large-scale farms need, and thus control the economics of farming, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to make a living. Much of the product from large-scale farms is funneled into a system that makes highlyprocessed, over-packaged food that contributes to obesity and other unhealthy conditions. Most of the profit from producing food goes to“ Big Ag” corporations, food manufacturers, and distributors— not to farmers. Many people agree that the process of getting food on our tables in this country, and much of the world, needs an overhaul, with a renewed focus on health. With widespread reporting about more farms struggling and even declaring bankruptcy every year, it’ s a wonder that optimistic young people take on the challenge of starting small farms.
Fortunately Montgomery County has focused on changing the destructive patterns that threaten food farming, and is implementing programs to support production of more healthy food locally. Prior issues of PLENTY have featured the County’ s Office of Food System Resilience created in 2022 to address food insecurity spotlighted during the Covid epidemic, as well as the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture’ s unflagging support for County farmers, and nonprofit organizations such as the Montgomery County Food Council, Manna Food’ s Farm to Food Bank, and Community Farm Share. Many small farms in the County benefit from grants and loans from a complex web of programs and funding sources these groups provide. Such funding can help obtain machinery including specialized mowers, seeders, and harvesters; refrigerated storage space; energy efficiency systems; high tunnels for extending the growing season; irrigation; or deer fencing.
14 plenty I summer growing 2026