The backdrop for Farm Aid 2019 was the farm economy and the resulting crisis farmers face, but at our press event before the festival kicked off, we wanted to look at the crisis in a different way—from a place of strength and determination. The press event highlighted farmers and farm advocates that help us understand how—despite challenges and uncertainties—so many farm families have stayed on the land for generations and continue to see a future in agriculture. The farmers on the Farm Aid 2019 stage represented so many farmers across the country who give us reasons for hope. Farmers and others in the food system are coming together to make change!
Here are two stories of farmers and others coming together to create new markets that translate to profitable farming practices that transform the soil—and the farmer.
The Paris Family believe grazing is the key to a successful dairy farm (and healthy soil and healthy farmers).
The Artisan Grain Collaborative is an interdependent food chain–from farmer, to miller, to baker, to eater–that is diversifying farms and creating new local markets.
