We Bought A Farm!

sheep on pasture

As Caroline Nelson, a regenerative rancher in Montana says, “we can’t fix a broken food system unless we really understand it.” This blog exists to discuss the brokenness in our food system as it extends into exorbitant land prices, and the catastrophic loss of farmland across the country.

Many of you know that our journey to land ownership was long and arduous. We looked for over 2 years to find a farm. Along the way we’d find farms that were incredible but we could never dream of affording, or ones in such disrepair that the capital needed to get it running was far from wise. 

No one has asked for an explanation on how we landed where we did, but it feels important to be transparent because the barriers we faced are not unique to us. 

Let’s Start With the RAPID Loss of Farmland

Farmland loss is threatening every corner of the US. It’s estimated that 2,000 acres PER DAY of farmland are being sold off to developers, the wealthy in pursuit of 2nd homes, and estate settlements from older farmers. 

For those who are fortunate enough to still own farmland, most are 2nd, 3rd or even 4th generation farmers within the same family. Inheriting the land and its equity is one of the only ways to be able to financially compete in today’s Big-Ag world. Starting as a first-generation livestock farmer in 2023 is risky. With small scale farms having to compete with insanely cheap big-brand prices, it’s an uphill battle. 

Even if folks can piece together the funds to buy farmland and start an operation, 82% of full-time farmers have to supplement their income with off-farm jobs.

So How’d We Do It?

So how did we get our farm? In short, we had a leg up due to the unearned privilege that accompanies inter-generational wealth. My mom was kind and generous enough to co-sign on our mortgage loan. Without her support, the bank wouldn’t have even considered us. 

In addition to the co-signing support, Jordan and I have been very realistic from the beginning about the fact that one, or both of us will always have to work an off-farm job. Currently, that’s me. I work for a regional non-profit that is focused (no surprise) on food justice. Jordan does all types of side work when the opportunities arise.

In short, we work a lot. And we had family support. And it’s still damn hard! Yet, despite it all, farming continues to feel worth it for us. It offers a type of fulfillment we haven’t encountered before.

Did we HAVE to Buy?

Did we need to tether ourselves to a 30 year mortgage to raise some animals? Of course not. Land ownership does NOT have to be the end goal for a farm to be successful. I know many vegetable and livestock producers who lease. In many cases, I think that’s an awesome approach.

However, I also think that independent farmers deserve to build equity, have full autonomy over their land management, and have peace of mind that their entire business doesn’t hinge on another person’s ownership of the grass they need. After all, farmers are first-hand victims of the byproducts of capitalism causing drastic turbulence in the market prices of their goods, regardless of how hard they work or the quality of their product. 

Where Are We Headed?

You may have heard that two weeks ago, the USDA approved lab grown meat. That topic deserves its own blog post but for now, I’ll just say that the future of sustainable agriculture will be complicated. 

Our goal at Old North is to provide extremely high quality food that was grown in a way that supports and regenerates the earth. Beyond that, we want to increase access to nutritious meat for our local rural community. Finally, we aim to divest from our dependence on corporate, industrialized farms that consistently put profit above people, the earth, and animal welfare. 

The life we’ve chosen is far from easy. But at this point, we hold fiercely to the notion that we can change the world by improving small local markets and altering consumer patterns in our own backyard.

I’m getting in the habit of regularly kneeling down, touching the ground outside, and talking to it. I want this precious land to know that we don’t take being here lightly. In fact, we’ve pulled every string imaginable to be able to tend to this sweet plot of land.

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