Blazing New Trails

Our multi-generational farmers are driving solutions for healthier farms, thriving livestock, and a sustainable planet. 

The New Generation of Farming

Let's cut to the chase - American agriculture has a wrinkle problem, and I'm not talking about prunes.

This week at a ranching conference in Oklahoma, something wild caught my eye. In a world where the average farmer is pushing 60 (yep, you read that right), this room is packed with thirty-somethings ready to flip the script on farming. And thank goodness, because with less than 10% of farmers under 35, we're staring down a pretty serious question: Who the heck is going to be feeding us in 20 years?

It’s never too early to start learning—our kids are hands-on in every part of the farm.

Now, I'm not knocking our seasoned farmers - they've forgotten more about farming than most of us will ever know. But let's be real: we need some fresh blood in these fields, and fast.

Here's where it gets good. These young guns I'm meeting? They're not interested in their grandpa's playbook. They're out here plotting revolution with regenerative agriculture, carbon sequestration, and business models that would make an MBA's head spin. They're asking questions that would've gotten them laughed off the farm a generation ago - and they're finding answers that work.

After 20 years of trial and error in regenerative agriculture, I love sharing what we've learned with the next generation. But here's the thing - they're not just following our footsteps, they're blazing whole new trails. Every time I mentor a young farmer, I end up learning as much as I teach.

A glimpse into innovative regenerative agriculture in action - our farmers use rotational grazing to improve animal welfare, restore land, and support a healthier planet.

It takes me back to when Andrea and I were those starry-eyed kids, patching together a farm with duct tape, determination, and definitely not enough capital. The old-timers probably thought we'd wash out in a year. Now I'm watching these young farmers roll in with their MBA mindsets and regenerative grazing plans, and I can't help but grin.

This isn't just about keeping farms running - it's about reimagining what farming can be. And from what I've seen this week, this new generation includes some brilliant rebels who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty.

Your farmer (and proud agricultural troublemaker),

Cody

P.S. Want to join the agricultural uprising? Keep supporting farms like ours that are challenging the status quo. Every dollar you spend is a vote for the future of farming - and trust me, these young farmers are watching those votes carefully.