Farmers and ranchers are often called the “backbone of America,” with agriculture being vital to every person’s life.
Farmers and ranchers are often called the “backbone of America,” with agriculture being vital to every person’s life.
However, only 2% of Americans are feeding the world, according to the American Farm Bureau, and the average American is at least three generations removed from the farm — meaning, they are not raised on a farm or raised in a rural community and are unaware of where their food comes from and how it gets to their table.
The AFB emphasizes the importance of continuing to develop agricultural leaders and providing youth with resources and information.
Kristen Sirna, of Sirna’s Farm & Market in Auburn Township, is one such leader, running Geauga County’s Young Agricultural Professional’s group.
YAP, a part of the Ohio Farm Bureau, includes youth usually ages 18-35 — though all ages are welcome — and focuses on networking and coordinating educational events to attract younger people who are just starting out in farming or are in college.
“It’s important for young adults to become active in farm bureau, the main organization that supports and promotes the agricultural industry,” said Bob Rogish, vice president of the Geauga County Farm Bureau.
YAP groups in Northeast Ohio try to hold three to four annual social/educational events, said Mandy Orahood, organizational director for OFB and YAP.
Most recently, YAP Night at the Rodeo was held June 10 at the High Steel Rodeo in North Bloomfield, attracting young area Geauga County farmers and their families.
“Events like these are intended to raise awareness of the farm bureau and strengthen the future of agriculture by surfacing, growing and developing our next generation of farmers and ag professionals,” Orahood said.
Sirna couldn’t be prouder to be a second-generation farmer.
Her parents, Craig and Anne Marie Sirna, purchased their farmhouse and property in 1997 from a developer with intentions to keep the property as it had been for the past century — farmland.
The land had not been worked in years and the family wanted to enjoy it with their three children — Anthony, Kristen and Kaitlyn. Their plans proved fruitful as they have slowly handed management over to the second generation with intentions for the land, farm and business to stay in the family for years to come.
“At 12 years old, my siblings and I got to have a part in every aspect of helping them,” Kristen recalled. “My brother, Anthony, is an electrician and has been very good with electronics for as long as I can remember. So, he is the go-to if anything on the farm in that area needs looked at. My sister, and her husband, Jeff, live in Binghamton, NY. She still helps with financials, printing, advertising, social media platforms and anything that can be done remotely.”
In 2016, Kristen took over the growing and management of the farm.
“My planting season starts in March. I’ll start all my seedlings,” Kristen said. “April and May, I get all the ground ready for planting, weather depending on … and I get our farm store situated for a June opening. June (through) October, I’m at the farm usually seven days a week, 12 to 16 hours a day.”
The Sirna succession plan, however, has not been the national norm.
The average age of all U.S. farm producers in 2017 was 57.5 years old, with 26% of beginning farmers under age 35, representing only 8% of all U.S. farmers, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
“As with many businesses, succession plans are important to the future of the business,” Rogish said. “Farming is no different. Without our next generations, the family farms of today will struggle to keep growing forward to provide for our community.”
Geauga County needs to attract younger generations who enjoy farming, growing and feeding people, and who want to be involved in YAP , Kristen added.
“Voices need to be heard,” she said. “Times change, things change and every next generation farmer helps to keep this amazing grassroots organization going.”
Orahood, who has discussed current struggles in agriculture with Heath Davis, YAP member and owner of High Steel Rodeo Productions, said Davis followed his dreams using his motto, “work harder than your excuses.”
Orahood said the YAP program at the state level and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program at the national level offer many opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders — both in personal and professional development, as well as through networking.
“These programs develop strong leaders in the community and help expand their knowledge of the industry,” Orahood said.
And that knowledge is vital for the future, as one U.S. farm only feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad, and the global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, according to AFB — which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than what is now produced.
But farmers like the Sirnas are up for the challenge.
“We were raised to work hard and I enjoy hard work,” Kristen said. “Every day is something different, it challenges me, tests me mentally, physically and emotionally. Some days the farm wins, but most days I win. But to be honest, I absolutely love farming, feeding people, teaching people.”
The next Northeast Regional Gathering YAP event is at 1 p.m. July 23 at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. Information can be found on Ohio Farm Bureau website or Facebook, or by contacting Orahood at geauga@ofbf.org.
