OYF&R Working To Promote Ag To The Next Generation

To encourage the next generation of farmers to pursue a career in agriculture, Oregon Young Farmers & Ranchers is reaching out to young people across the state.  Jenny Freeborn runs the state YF&R program.  She told the Washington Ag Network while many young people who grow up on a farm leave never to return, YF&R and other program are encouraging all of agriculture to come together to promote and protect the industry.

“So we are trying to reach those people who are going back to the farms, and not only that but reach out to people who are may getting into the small farm movement or Community Supported Agriculture type movement, and encourage all of agriculture to grow and to get involved in Young Farmers and Ranchers program and go on to the Oregon Farm Bureau.”

Freeborn said many young farmers do it because of the passion for the industry, and their specific commodity.  She added as we approach a global population of 9 billion and perhaps 10 billion by mid-century, it’s more and more important for the next generation of farmers to think outside the box.

“We’re going to have continued pressure to feed more people on less and so that’s something that we do need to be aware of, increase the use of technology, figure out how to use some of our more marginal ground.  Technology such as GMOs is going to play a part in that, but another part of that is going to be the Community Sponsored Agriculture and the Farmers Markets.”

To learn more about the Oregon Young Farmers & Ranchers program, visit the Oregon Farm Bureau Website.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com