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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Young food entrepreneurs are changing the face of rural America
Visit just about any downtown on a weekend and you will likely happen upon a farmers market. Or, you might grab lunch from a food truck outside a local brewpub or winery. Very likely, there is a community-shared kitchen or food entrepreneur incubator initiative behind the scenes to support this growing foodie ecosystem. As rural America gains younger residents, and grows more diverse and increasingly digitally connected, these dynamics are driving a renaissance in craft foods. One food entrepreneur incubator, Hope & Main Kitchen, operates out of a school that sat vacant for over 10 years in the small Rhode Island town of Warren. Its business incubation program, with over 300 graduates to date, gives food and beverage entrepreneurs a way to test, scale and develop their products before investing in their own facilities. Its markets also give entrepreneurs a place to test their products on the public and buyers for stores, while providing the community with local goods. Food has been central to culture, community and social connections for millennia. But food channels, social media food influencers and craft brews have paved the way for a renaissance of regional beverage and food industry startups across America. In my work in agriculture economics, I see connections between this boom in food and agriculture innovation and the inflow of young residents who are helping revitalize rural America and reinvigorate its Main Streets. An analysis of 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data found that more people have been moving to small towns and rural counties in recent years, and that the bulk of that population growth is driven by 25- to 44-year-olds. This represents a stark contrast to the 2000s, when 90% of the growth for younger demographics was concentrated in the largest metro areas. The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work options it created, along with rising housing prices, were catalysts for the change, but other interesting dynamics may also be at play. One is social connectedness. Sociologists have long believed that the community fabric of rural America contributes to economic efficiency, productive business activity, growth of communities and population health. Maps show that rural areas of the U.S. with higher social capital – those with strong networks and relationships among residents – are some of the strongest draws for younger households today. Another important dynamic for both rural communities and their new young residents is entrepreneurship, including food entrepreneurship. Rural food startups may be leveraging the social capital aligned with the legacy of agriculture in rural America, resulting in a renewed interest in craft and local foods. This includes a renaissance in foods made with local ingredients or linked to regional cultures and tastes. According to data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. local sales of edible farm products increased 33% from 2017 to 2022, reaching $14.2 billion. A 2020 study I was involved in, led by agriculture economist Sarah Low, found a positive relationship between the availability of farm-based local and organic foods and complementary food startups. The study termed this new dynamic 'AgriCulture.' We found a tendency for these dynamics to occur in areas with higher natural amenities, such as hiking trails and streams, along with transportation and broadband infrastructure attractive to digital natives. The same dynamic drawing young people to the outdoors offers digital natives a way to experience far-reaching regions of the country and, in some cases, move there. A thriving food and beverage scene can be a pull for those who want to live in a vibrant community, or the new settlers and their diverse tastes may be what get food entrepreneurs started. Many urban necessities, such as shopping, can be done online, but eating and food shopping are local daily necessities. When my colleagues and I talk to community leaders interested in attracting new industries and young families, or who seek to build community through revitalized downtowns and public spaces, the topic of food commonly arises. We encourage them to think about ways they can help draw food entrepreneurs: Can they increase local growers' and producers' access to food markets? Would creating shared kitchens help support food trucks and small businesses? Does their area have a local advantage, such as a seashore, hiking trails or cultural heritage, that they can market in connection with local food? Several federal, state and local economic development programs are framing strategies to bolster any momentum occurring at the crossroads of rural, social connections, resiliency, food and entrepreneurship. For example, a recent study from a collaboration of shared kitchen experts found that there were over 600 shared-use food facilities across the U.S. in 2020, and over 20% were in rural areas. In a survey of owners, the report found that 50% of respondents identified assisting early-growth businesses as their primary goal. The USDA Regional Food Business Centers, one of which I am fortunate to co-lead, have been bolstering the networking and technical assistance to support these types of rural food economy efforts. Many rural counties are still facing shrinking workforces, commonly because of lagging legacy industries with declining employment, such as mining. However, recent data and studies suggest that in rural areas with strong social capital, community support and outdoor opportunities, younger populations are growing, and their food interests are helping boost rural economies. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Dawn Thilmany, Colorado State University Read more: America's dairy farms are disappearing, down 95% since the 1970s − milk price rules are one reason why 3 ways the Trump administration could reinvest in rural America's future Rural America's economies are often left out by a design flaw in federal funding Dawn Thilmany receives funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, and Colorado state agencies focused on agriculture, economic development and food systems.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iowa made ‘rapid progress' planting corn, soybeans last week
Iowa crops emerge from a field along south-bound Interstate 35 on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa farmers have less than 10% of corn acres left to plant, which puts them a whopping 12 days ahead of last year's pace and four days ahead of normal, according to the crop progress and condition report. The report said farmers made 'rapid progress' during the reporting period which had nearly a full week suitable for field work. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the rain and cooler temperatures forecasted this week might mean fewer days in the field, but could be helpful for young crops. 'We need the moisture across the state, and the widespread rainfall will give the recently planted corn and soybeans a good boost,' Naig said. According to the crop report, released weekly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, some corn struggled to emerge, due to dry conditions in scattered areas across the state, and had to be replanted. Overall, 58% of planted corn and 42% of planted soybean acres have emerged. More than 80% of soybean acres across the state have been planted. Iowa had an average rainfall of less than a tenth of an inch of rain and a statewide average temperature of 65 degrees, which is 4 degrees above normal. The lack of precipitation and high temperatures caused topsoil moisture conditions to drop from 70% adequate the previous week, to 53% adequate for the reporting period of May 12-18. Subsoil moisture conditions also dropped from 67% adequate to 58% adequate in the latest report. More than 60% of Iowa is in abnormally dry conditions, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, which shows western and southern regions are driest. Despite the somewhat dry conditions, 63% of pastures rated good or excellent in the state. Hay and oat conditions also rated well for the reporting period with 78% and 86%, respectively, rated good or excellent. Precipitation outlooks for the state show 1-2 inches of rain anticipated in the next seven days. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Planting underway across Iowa, some farms impacted by storms last week
Spring planting is underway in Iowa. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Corn Growers Association) Iowa farmers made headway planting corn, soybeans and oats early last week, but were slowed by storms that caused destruction in southwest Iowa, according to the Iowa crop progress and condition report. The report, covering April 14 through April 20, shows Iowa has 68% of oats planted, 18% of corn and 11% of soybeans. Planting rates for all three of these crops are ahead of the five-year average. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions improved slightly from the week prior, though both have more than 60% rated as adequate moisture. Soil moisture conditions are slightly better than last year at this time. Soil temperatures measured at a depth of four inches show the ground has warmed up, with most counties measuring in the upper 40s to low 50s. Other field activities for the period included tiling, building waterways and spraying. Iowa crop progress and condition reports are released weekly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service during planting season and through harvest season. Average precipitation for April 14-20 was 0.35 inches across the state, though several areas measured more than an inch and up to nearly 2.5 inches following thunderstorms April 17. Some counties observed hail as large as 4 inches during the storms and two tornadoes touched down, one in Fremont County near Tabor, and the other moved across Fremont and Page counties. According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, hail and wind damage was reported in Sioux City, Storm Lake and Waverly, in addition to the counties that saw tornadoes. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation, in response to the severe weather, for Buena Vista, Fremont, Page, and Plymouth counties. The proclamation opens up state resources to respond to the damages and gives eligible Iowans 45 days to apply for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program to help with associated repairs and other costs. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited some of areas hit by the storms. 'I visited southwest Iowa over the weekend, where I saw firsthand some of the damage caused by the tornadoes and large hail,' Naig said in a statement. 'My heart goes out to all the Iowans who were impacted by these storms.' Precipitation predictions for the coming week suggest Iowa will have above average rainfall across most of the state, which Naig said might slow spring planting progress as it did the week prior. 'While more delays may occur, the rain will help replenish soil moisture, which would be a welcome development in many areas,' Naig said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
She's been named CT's ‘Outstanding Young Farmer.' She hopes to inspire more women to choose agriculture
Allyson Angelini grew up in Ledyard and has run Full Heart Farm in her hometown since 2012. Recently, the 37-year-old received statewide recognition when she was named Connecticut's 2025 Outstanding Young Farmer during Ag Day at the State Capitol. 'I'm most excited about this award mostly because I hope it encourages other first-generation, young farmers out there. It shows that there is a path toward making a living in Connecticut on a small-scale farm,' Angelini said. Angelini said the most meaningful part of receiving the award came after the ceremony. 'A very young farmer came up and introduced herself and shyly said, 'So, you, like, did it?'' Angelini said. 'I was able to just stand there and honestly answer, 'Yes.' So even if I am not feeling particularly outstanding, I think it's pretty great for young female farmers to see that it's 100% possible to start their own farm.' Angelini said she is proud of the 'girl power' aspect of winning the award. 'Women in agriculture play a crucial role and whenever there is a woman recognized in agriculture, I will always do a happy dance,' she said. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, 32% of the state farms were new and beginning farms, which means they have had less than 10 years of production history, and 41% of those are led by women producers. Angelini was nominated for the award by Amanda Fargo-Johnson, the Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development's agricultural programs director. 'This is a great honor that the CT Department of Agriculture awards each year in partnership with the Connecticut Agricultural Information Council as a way to highlight the importance of young people entering the agriculture industry in the state,' Fargo-Johnson said. 'This award is a testament to the long days of work and planning it takes to operate a farm full time in a state where its expensive to access land and compete in the market with high labor and energy costs. Allyson being recognized will bring awareness to the importance small scale farms have in the state as well as the ability for young and female farmers to know it can be achieved.' Fargo-Johnson believes that Angelini is a strong candidate for the national award. The 10 finalists will be selected in early September and will be honored at the Outstanding Farmers of American Convention next February. 'What makes Allyson such a great example is that even though she's been farming for 14 years she started on her own at the very young age of 24 years old. She's a great role model to girls looking to pursue a career in agriculture,' Fargo-Johnson said. Angelini is a Ledyard High School graduate. She attended University of Massachusetts Amherst to study journalism with the hopes of being layout editor for a food magazine. She said she soon discovered her true passion turned to small-scale farming. She switched her major to sustainable agriculture and, as a junior, studied abroad in Tuscany, Italy working on a 1,500-acre organic farm. 'That was the first time I lived and worked on a farm, and I loved it,' Angelini said. Angelini interned and worked at several farms in her early 20s. She worked at dairy farms, Christmas tree farms, berry farms and others. At 23 years old, she applied for the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program in order to qualify for a grant to buy farmland. Just 10 months later, Angelini was able to work on her own farm. 'It was a tiny piece of land and wasn't really a farm. It wasn't in good condition. But I closed on the property when I was 24 and single,' Angelini said. 'I worked 20 hours a day fixing up the house and clearing the land.' Now, Angelini is married and has four children with her husband, Keith: Henry 11, Cora 9, Sadie 7 and Lila 3. She said Full Heart Farm, located on 193 Iron St. in Ledyard, is a family-first farm. 'That means the kids always come first,' Angelini said. 'People who work for me, their families come first. Setting boundaries with the farm were important. It will suck every bit of energy out of you. We are happy with our work, and we produce so many beautiful things.' The property is 6¼ acres and the family grows on less than two acres. They have no full-time employees but have a rotation of four to six part-time workers. Full Heart Farm produces 300 different varieties of vegetables and cut flowers. 'Most people know if they are looking for something unusual to come here. We grow a lot of carrots of many different colors,' Angelini said. 'We've been selling more carrots to schools in an effort to improve access to healthy food at lunch. We also grow 40 different types of tomatoes and 16 different types of radicchios.' Among the most popular flowers are ranunculus and peonies as well as 3,000 dahlia plants in rainbow varieties. The farm primarily sells its product through a farm-share program but will open in the spring for Mother's Day and Easter flower sales. 'We are bracing ourselves for whatever climate-related weather challenges we will have this year,' Angelini said. 'It's difficult to predict and unrelenting. Small farms have been struggling with the loss of federal funding from so many directions this winter. In some ways we haven't stabilized our markets since the pandemic. Things feel erratic like they did in 2021. It's strange to feel you are outstanding but it's hard to feel outstanding when you are struggling in so many things.' She said it's been harder to plan for the weather as the years have gone by. 'We used to have a plan and for the most part everything went according to plan, and it was relatively easy to predict,' Angelini said. 'Then we experience extended dry periods followed by flooding. It makes it difficult to manage a farm. …Just Sunday night we had three and a half inches of rain. It's a month's worth of rain in one fell swoop. The ground is still frozen and there's nowhere for the water to go. 'For someone who loves statistics and planning, you can make a great decision, but nature always reminds us to stay humble,' she added. In addition to farming, Angelini does outreach with schools, libraries and colleges and had taught with the Cornell Small Farms Program for over a decade. 'My daily work is growing food, but my big-picture work is educating people about small-scale farming and honoring agriculture and why it's so important,' Angelini said.
