The Roots of First-Generation Farmers: The Role of Inspiration in Starting an Organic Farm

Alia DeLong (), Marilyn E. Swisher, Carlene A. Chase, Tracy Irani and Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar ()
Additional contact information
Alia DeLong: School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Marilyn E. Swisher: Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Carlene A. Chase: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Tracy Irani: Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar: Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: This research aimed to determine salient factors affecting the decision to become a beginning organic farmer. New and beginning organic farmers have unique characteristics, showcasing their dedication to environmental justice and social justice at the expense of their own businesses. This research aimed to determine why people with no background in agriculture would start a farm when it is a high-risk and low-return business. With multigenerational farmers aging out of agriculture, we investigated the new generation and shifting demographics of people entering farming that will replace retiring farmers and feed our future. This research employed a multiple-case case study design. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 first-generation farmers who operate organic farms in Arkansas, Florida, or Georgia. We analyzed interview transcripts using the qualitative analysis approach of coding. Our results reveal two primary reasons why people with little practical knowledge start farms. First, they are inspired by those around them who succeed, and second, they are encouraged by influential characters in the field who assure them they can do something they love and be profitable. This research showed that first-generation farmers find inspiration and develop values rooted in food justice. Our findings have implications for developing and implementing current and future programmatic activities that aim to enhance beginning farmer training and workforce development. We identified sources of inspiration that will help researchers and service providers target newer and beginning farmers to support a vibrant food system, including burgeoning market opportunities, developing strong communities around food, and building grassroots solutions.

Keywords: farmers; first-generation; decision-making; young farmers; beginning farmers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1169/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1169/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:6:p:1169-:d:1161713

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().