Perseverance and a plan

Ihave had conversations with more than 300 producers in western Colorado in the past 10 months as part of my work with the AgriWest Initiative at the Business Incubator Center. We have met independently, as well as in small groups of 3-10 people. I have focused on meeting as many different producers as possible.

Different sectors of agriculture, as well as, different sizes and production methods have all been part of the discussions.

It is easy to focus on all the problems in food production. There are many challenges in agriculture and many reasons for those challenges.

All the tasks involved in any business are present, including marketing, finding people to do the work, distribution and business planning, along with all the other things required to run a business. Add in weather-related issues, policy makers that don’t connect with producers and huge risks. It is easy to find things to complain about.

It is important to note there are some good things happening in the realm as well. At a time when I frequently hear, “it is so hard to get into farming”, there are quite a few folks that are just “doing it.” They are not asking for special consideration, they are just working hard and making it happen. This is happening in all sectors of agriculture.

In a recent meeting, I had a side conversation with a young farmer telling me about his work. This young man comes from a legacy farming family in our community; he did not benefit from inter-generational transfer of land or assets because of circumstances in the family. But, he has a goal to be a farmer.

And, he wants to do it in western Colorado. He has a “town” job. He and his wife have managed to buy a small property in the lower valley with an old house on it.

This young man started farming his 10-15 acre place. Shortly, neighboring land owners were asking his advice and soon several asked if he could care for their properties. Ten acres here, 14 acres across the road, and before long he had 100 acres to work. He has acquired a small group of cows that he wants to continue to care for. He is doing all this as a side gig on nights after work and on weekends.

I am aware of another family on the other end of the valley that is making it work as well. They both have jobs in town. Their kids are in school and are committed to helping their folks to reach the goals they all share.

Recently, the high-schooler loaded a load of hay for me. She was a good hand on the tractor and knew what she was doing. Her dad has taught her well. Her work ethic was obvious.

Their story is similar to the one in the lower valley. They started with a small place and before long, neighbors were asking for advice and offering to allow this family to farm their places. Long hours, juggling schedules and finding creative solutions for timing of farm needs are just a few of the challenges they have overcome to continue growing their farm business.

I am aware of a young family in an outlying community that is doing something similar. He works out-of-town, she is very active in the community and cares for their young children.

Good planning, asking questions, and looking for openings have given them opportunities to begin to grow their ag enterprise.

Good for these people! Good for these young families! They have set goals, are working hard and making their dreams come true.

I would offer a couple of tidbits of my own experiences for people wanting to get into food production.

A dream is not enough. It takes perseverance and a plan.

¦ Set a realistic goal. It can be a stretch goal, but asking the right questions of the right people will be helpful to move toward success.

¦ Get an education. It may or may not be a classroom setting; some sort of a formal component is crucial.

Business training is imperative.

¦ Be frugal, put all the proceeds back into the business. Most likely, an additional form of income will be necessary for a number of years.

¦ Be a good neighbor. Find ways to be a part of the community.

The path will look different for everyone. The important part is to keep moving forward, even knowing there will be one setback after another.

Don’t give up. Equipment will break down, the weather will not cooperate and others will speculate you won’t make it. Find solutions to the next problem.

There are producers in every different sector, in every different size, and in every different production method that have started small and found their “right place” in the food supply chain. There are a lot of challenges in agriculture. It has never been an easy career. It never will be.

We need problem solvers at all levels to feed all the people.

There are good things happening in agriculture, too. Legacy families and first-generation producers will all be necessary in the business of food production. It is important we look for better ways to produce food and solve problems. It will always require perseverance and a plan.

Janie VanWinkle is co-owner and co-manager of VanWinkle Ranch with her husband, Howard. She is the past president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and was selected as a fellow by the Economic Development Administration’s new Economic Recovery Corps to lead AgriWest, an agriculture-focused economic development initiative administered by the Business Incubator Center.