Young People Want to Farm! Meet the Greenhorns

Be sure to check out the greenhorns blog to learn more about young people coming to the farm to get their hands dirty. There are also some DIY ideas that might spark your fancy. A “greenhorn” is a ranching term for an inexperienced person on the ranch who has never before roped cattle. This term is lately being applied to the new generation of young farmers. So much so, that there is a film in production to document the trend.

An article yesterday at the New York times also describes the trend of young people turning to farming, organic farming especially, as life’s work.

“I never thought I wanted to farm,” Mr. Shute said. “But it feels like an honest living.”

I must admit that I’ve felt a similar pull to get my hands dirty and leave office work behind. I do have a secret goal to start an urban farm someday, but first I’ll need some on-farm experience. Maybe one of those internships… for now, indoor gardening and my little potted garden will have to do.