Rediscovering Farming

1

Our world is changing • Climate changes and water reserves fall • A continuous decrease in crop production caused a 30% inflation in the price of food Is farming changing as well?

Why does George Soros sell gold and buy farmland?

• Food supplies will become more scarce • Food prices will double over the next 2-3 years, and then again in another 2-3 years • Farmland is becoming the new growth industry attracting investors around the world 2

Large corporations attempt to solve the food supply problem:

• increase competition; wipe out small farmer • to raise profitability, attempts to stabilize production by controlling nature

Food consumer response:

• concern about the quality and safety of food provided by the global, industrial system • increase in demand for organic foods that are produced in smaller farms • increased demand for food sold in local markets at minimal possible distance from the producer …providing small farms with a unique opportunity!

3

Today’s Farmer

4

• Is an explorer in the new frontier of farming • Knows that farming abides by the laws of nature which prevail over the laws of man • Selects viable, environmentally and socially responsible farming • Farming to him/her is as much a way of living as a way to make a living 5

How will the small Greek farmer compete?

• Being creative… farming with conventional products and methods can not be a profit maximizing business • Respecting nature… respect the fundamental nature of farming • Working ethically… must select technologies and methods that should not sacrifice the principles of correct farming in search of profit • Being self sufficient… his/her farm operations are based on solid skills and finances; not depending on subsidies for survival • Taking pride in his job… not being afraid to work with his hands if needed • Knowing his customer… producing for consumer needs • Defining his market… marketing to people who care where their food comes from and how it is produced 6

Successful Farmers

7

• Are young and old, female and male, experienced and new, coming from a wide range of formal education and income • Take control of their lives working hard to build a better future for themselves and their families • Are visionaries and courageous - trying new things, despite the risks 8

They also realize that: • in the large corporate market they have little to do with the price of their product • to increase prices they have to raise different things or the same things differently • specialty or unique products bring higher prices • investment in knowledge and skills is necessary and must be continuous. 9

Success stories

Story 1: Expanding in more directions Six Minnesota dairy farmers form a co-op to control beyond production the processing & distribution of their products,at the same time coming closer to their consumers Results: • Farmers kept more of the profit on their farms • Seeking higher profits, entered the specialty market by enriching their products with healthy additives (anti-cancer, cardiovascular health) 10

Story 2: Innovative thinking A Kansas farmer establishes an online resource to help farmers reduce equipment costs. The service: • Gives farmers throughout the U.S. the opportunity to purchase and share expensive equipment • Offers a database of equipment for rent or sale • The online company takes care of maintenance, repair, and transportation of the equipment 11

The Role for Structured Education in Farming

12

August 20, 2011 USA TODAY article on colleges offering agriculture education: • Consumers prefer “healthier” food produced on sustainable, environmentally responsible farms • Increasing numbers of farmers look for ways to differentiate (organic, holistic etc) • Colleges/universities offering organic, sustainable agriculture courses increase in number • 25% of U.S. farmers today have BSc degrees and at least 70% of them have some College coursework 13

The American Farm School

14

Since its founding in1904, AFS has produced generations of stewards of the Greek land. Since 2009, academic programs have been redirected towards contemporary agriculture, adding studies in life sciences and the environment.

Major Challenge: To convince faculty, staff, parents and, most importantly, students of the potential of farming today and in the future. This is achieved building on the past, listening to and respecting those working with the land. The result is a vibrant, energized workforce with productive enthusiasm. Major concern: To identify (in a weakened economy) sources of funding to support new programs, technological upgrades, and the largest financial aid program of any institution in Greek private education.

15

Action & Results 2010-2011 16

Increased revenues, adding new products, i.e. light milk and pastas, to the highly respected AFS products sold in the Greek market Introduced new areas of studies with more opportunities for employment for our graduates. The result is: At the high school • Three times more applications • A larger pool of candidates to select from (average grade 17 / 20) • Students transferring to AFS from other prestigious Thessaloniki schools at Perrotis College (BSc) • A 57% increase in first-year enrollment for fall 2011 • A larger percentage of Greek students in the incoming class (70%) versus international (30%) • More adult education classes offered as community service Started a chain of accredited “eco-schools” that will span preschool through elementary school, aiming to build ecological consciousness at an early age.

17

Pre-Kindergarten Eco-School Student

18

Conclusion 19

The present crisis requires that we change the way we think and the way we approach life and work There are new and exciting opportunities for creative farming today and in the future, including a totally new lifestyle for one’s family One does not necessarily have to be a farmer to benefit from this atmosphere of new opportunities related to nature and the land The success stories described include business, organizational, and marketing aspects; and the newly conceived businesses are each the result of a creative attempt to solve a problem. Success stories that could have come from anyone in this audience.

20