Old versus New

Most days, I feel positive about being a part of the agricultural community.  Despite our differences in methods of production, the type(s) of crop or livestock produced, our marketing methods, etc., we seem to share the common bond of making our living from the land.  Some of us focus on marketing directly to consumers, while others produce for the commodity market.  Some of us are full-time farmers, while others farm part-time.  Regardless, we are generally willing to help one another and to stand together to advance the needs and perspectives of the farming community.

There are times, unfortunately, when this collegiality doesn't prevail.  Sometimes we argue about who can legitimately call themselves a farmer.  Some of the more traditional farmers and ranchers look at those of us who have small, diversified operations with disdain.  We're not "real" farmers apparently because we don't sell our crop on the commodity market.  We're not "real" ranchers because we don't raise beef cattle and sell our calves on the video auction.  Conversely, those of us who represent the "new" face of farming discount those who we see as tradition-bound or part of the industrial agriculture complex.  At the risk of grossly simplifying these differences, new farmers seem to be optimistic about the future, while traditional farmers seem to be pessimistic.  New farmers see a future in farming, while traditional farmers fear the end of agriculture.

Since I am squarely in the "new" farming camp, I often find the disparagement of my more traditional colleagues frustrating and insulting.  I'm sure they find my perspective challenging as well.  Ultimately, these disagreements aren't productive - we shouldn't be arguing about who is more legitimately a farmer.

Here we go...

As of today, we've started lambing in earnest!  Yola, our East Friesian dairy ewe, had 4 (that's right, 4) lambs this morning - one more and we'd have a basketball team!  At Doty Ravine, where the bulk of our ewes will lamb, we had 3 sets of twins and a single.  The next 6 weeks will be filled with new life!

We're also welcoming Alice, our newest intern, to the farm.  Alice has interned at a dairy goat operation in Oregon, so she comes to us with experience in taking care of small ruminants.  Come say hello at the farmer's market!

Small Farms Conservancy

"No one should be without land to care for" - this is the vision of the Small Farms Conservancy.  Lynn Miller, editor and publisher of the Small Farmer's Journal, and a number of other farsighted farmers and farm advocates started the Small Farms Conservancy in 2008 to "protect, sustain and inspire small farming worldwide."  The organization's immediate projects and goals include:

• farm technology information services
• farmland preservation and protecting farms in trust
• enhancement of local marketing through regulatory problem solving, public relations and promotions
• establishment of an agrarian think-tank
• annual small farm awards and fellowships
• micro-loan programs
• farm and farm family insurance
• farmer retirement programs
• apprenticeship clearinghouse
• education advocacy
• farm caretaking services
• farmer's legal assistance
• estate planning

It's an ambitious set of goals, but each goal is essential to the continuation of small scale farming in this country (and probably around the world).  I encourage you to learn more about the Small Farms Conservancy and to consider joining!

For more information, go to www.smallfarmsconservancy.org or send an email to agrarian@smallfarmersjournal.com.

Turning

I just walked outside this evening.  The "peepers" (tree frogs, I think) were incredibly loud.  They generally start making noise in late January or early February.  While it's still winter, these little frogs are a signal that spring is coming (as are the sandhill cranes we'll hear and see later this month).

We almost always have a day in late August that feels like autumn - it's a bit cooler, and it smells like moldering leaves in the morning.  Similarly, we usually have a day in February that feels like spring - it's too warm for the heater in the truck and it smells like fresh grass.

I love the turning of the year.  We're so lucky to live in place with distinct seasons.  I enjoy each season, but I enjoy the change from one season to the next even more!

Agricultural Education

Our local community college, Sierra College, is apparently going to shut down its agriculture department (along with its automotive and construction programs) due to budget constraints.  This decision comes in the midst of a revival of small farming in Placer and Nevada Counties, as well as in the midst of a generational crisis in farming that pervades the entire country.  There are more small farms in these two counties than there were just 10 years ago.  At the same time, the average age of a farmer in our community is approaching 60, and more than 2/3 of the farmers here are 65 years of age or older, while fewer than 5 percent are 35 or younger.

If you're concerned about this, I encourage you to write to the Sierra College president and board of trustees.  Here are their addresses:

Dr. Leo E. Chavez, President

Sierra College

5000 Rocklin Road

Rocklin, CA 95677

Contact the Sierra College Board of Trustees at the same address or:

A single e-mail to trustees@sierracollege.edu will forward to each of the trustees.

Barbara Vineyard

Dave Ferrari

Scott Leslie

Elaine Rowen Reynoso

Bill Martin

Nancy B. Palmer

Aaron Klein

Chris Randleman - Student Trustee 2009-10

New Dogs and Old Dogs

Turns out that Taff, my everyday sheep dog, is not at all impressed by Ernie, the puppy.  We had to move cows and sheep today, and Taff decided that he'd work on his own rather than in partnership with me.  If Taff could grumble, I think he would!

Meet Ernie

Meet Ernie - our newest sheep dog!  Emma and I went to pick up Ernie from our friend Ellen Skillings this weekend.  Emma and I are sharing him - Emma will get him well-socialized (as you can imagine if you know Emma), and I'll get to start my first Border Collie.

The other dogs (Taff and Mo) aren't quite sure what to think.  Taff can't believe there's a new dog here, and Mo can't fathom that he's not the baby anymore.

I love my job!