SYLVESTER - A United Nations policy officer with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization visited Riemer Family Farm in Sylvester Township on Monday to talk to local growers about their experiences owning and operating farms in southern Wisconsin.
South Korea native Jeongha Kim, a decent rural employment policy officer, sought the discussion to gain expertise as a means to aid developing agriculture in places like southeast Asia and sub-Saharan African countries. The organization, based in Rome, Italy, focuses on providing better opportunities for poor workers operating within a cycle of hunger and poverty "so rural people don't have to be driven out of their homes," Kim said.
The talks diverted from originally planned topics of labor and technology and instead focused on difficulties new farmers face in obtaining land as well as what possible policy changes could be implemented to provide more sustainable production options.
Bryce and Jen Riemer and Peg Sheaffer, a local farmer of 18 years who also attended the discussion, created the group Green County Defending our Farmland. A self-described grassroots citizenship group of local residents and farmers, GCDF has advocated for small farms within the area to protect groundwater and air quality from pollution.
Kriss Marion, who farms organic produce in Blanchardville, serves as president of the South Central Wisconsin Farmers Union. She said members have pondered similar inquiries.
"I feel we are asking the same questions you are," Marion said. "We're kind of in a post-family farm agricultural economy here in America and the struggle is to convince people it's still viable and provide opportunities."
Brodhead native Isaac Welsh, a sophomore soil and crop science major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is one young person looking to take over the family farm once he graduates. Preferably in 2020, he said.
A major hurdle faced by new farmers looking to establish themselves is the lack of affordable land available, he said. Welsh pointed out that among classmates and even his roommate, his belief that conventional farming isn't "profitable" and "doesn't really take care of the environment as well as it should" is a minority opinion.
"We're stewards of the Earth," Welsh said. "What better way is there to be able to take care of the environment than being a farmer. We need everyone to start taking care of the water."
Green Fire Farm LLC in Monticello was established by Jacob Marty in 2015 on the Marty's sixth-generation family farm. It began with the conversion of a 50-acre corn field into a low-impact perennial pasture, planting trees and bringing in hogs to graze along eight acres of field among a variety of trees and fruit shrubs.
Marty had "zero interest in farming" when he graduated from high school, he said. But while he attended UW-Stevens Point, Marty felt the desire to return to the community that raised him. He said farmers lend local support to area schools and aid in the upbringing of community youth but noted how difficult it can be to begin anew as conventional farming continues to expand.
"It's hard to change paths or start a new thing," Marty said. "Whether you're transitioning from one generation to the next, or if you just want to change up your farm, it's almost like starting from scratch."
And low profits can dissuade hopeful people from starting a farm, he added.
Attendees also offered solutions. Marty said learning new skills aids in the process of change as does deviating in small percentages over time.
Kim asked the group if they had the power to change or implement policy, what they would do to improve farming conditions among the in-fighting of organic versus conventional farms and to provide more sustainable produce options in a world of rapidly growing operations.
The group pointed to the attitudes of typical consumers regarding the cost of food as a problem, originating from an overhaul by former Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz, who overhauled former farming practices to encourage growth, resulting in fewer family farms since the early 1970s.
Marion said within the United States, there is a general sentiment that food should be "cheap." She added that local marketing would help support the price of production. Marty told Kim the onus is dependent upon people to push for change, which begins with education.
"I don't think public policy can lead the public," Marty said. "The public has to lead public policy."
South Korea native Jeongha Kim, a decent rural employment policy officer, sought the discussion to gain expertise as a means to aid developing agriculture in places like southeast Asia and sub-Saharan African countries. The organization, based in Rome, Italy, focuses on providing better opportunities for poor workers operating within a cycle of hunger and poverty "so rural people don't have to be driven out of their homes," Kim said.
The talks diverted from originally planned topics of labor and technology and instead focused on difficulties new farmers face in obtaining land as well as what possible policy changes could be implemented to provide more sustainable production options.
Bryce and Jen Riemer and Peg Sheaffer, a local farmer of 18 years who also attended the discussion, created the group Green County Defending our Farmland. A self-described grassroots citizenship group of local residents and farmers, GCDF has advocated for small farms within the area to protect groundwater and air quality from pollution.
Kriss Marion, who farms organic produce in Blanchardville, serves as president of the South Central Wisconsin Farmers Union. She said members have pondered similar inquiries.
"I feel we are asking the same questions you are," Marion said. "We're kind of in a post-family farm agricultural economy here in America and the struggle is to convince people it's still viable and provide opportunities."
Brodhead native Isaac Welsh, a sophomore soil and crop science major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is one young person looking to take over the family farm once he graduates. Preferably in 2020, he said.
A major hurdle faced by new farmers looking to establish themselves is the lack of affordable land available, he said. Welsh pointed out that among classmates and even his roommate, his belief that conventional farming isn't "profitable" and "doesn't really take care of the environment as well as it should" is a minority opinion.
"We're stewards of the Earth," Welsh said. "What better way is there to be able to take care of the environment than being a farmer. We need everyone to start taking care of the water."
Green Fire Farm LLC in Monticello was established by Jacob Marty in 2015 on the Marty's sixth-generation family farm. It began with the conversion of a 50-acre corn field into a low-impact perennial pasture, planting trees and bringing in hogs to graze along eight acres of field among a variety of trees and fruit shrubs.
Marty had "zero interest in farming" when he graduated from high school, he said. But while he attended UW-Stevens Point, Marty felt the desire to return to the community that raised him. He said farmers lend local support to area schools and aid in the upbringing of community youth but noted how difficult it can be to begin anew as conventional farming continues to expand.
"It's hard to change paths or start a new thing," Marty said. "Whether you're transitioning from one generation to the next, or if you just want to change up your farm, it's almost like starting from scratch."
And low profits can dissuade hopeful people from starting a farm, he added.
Attendees also offered solutions. Marty said learning new skills aids in the process of change as does deviating in small percentages over time.
Kim asked the group if they had the power to change or implement policy, what they would do to improve farming conditions among the in-fighting of organic versus conventional farms and to provide more sustainable produce options in a world of rapidly growing operations.
The group pointed to the attitudes of typical consumers regarding the cost of food as a problem, originating from an overhaul by former Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz, who overhauled former farming practices to encourage growth, resulting in fewer family farms since the early 1970s.
Marion said within the United States, there is a general sentiment that food should be "cheap." She added that local marketing would help support the price of production. Marty told Kim the onus is dependent upon people to push for change, which begins with education.
"I don't think public policy can lead the public," Marty said. "The public has to lead public policy."