EXPERT INTERVIEW

Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today about the realities of modern agriculture. To start, what are the biggest challenges you face as a mid-sized farm compared to the very large farm?

Farmer: From where I sit, being mid-sized, we’re kind of caught in the middle. Bigger operations have more buying power and can spread their costs out better. Smaller farms sometimes make it work by going direct to customers. But farms our size we’re big enough to have real overhead, but not big enough to get all the advantages. Input costs, labor, equipment—it all adds up quick, and margins can get tight.

Question: How have you found that government policies and support programs affect farmers of your scale?

Farmer: A lot of the programs are helpful, no doubt, but they tend to scale with size. The bigger the operation, the more support you’re likely to see. For a farm like mine, we benefit some, but it doesn’t always match the level of risk we’re carrying. And for new farmers, it can be tough just figuring out how to get into those programs in the first place.

Question: We often hear about small and family-owned farms disappearing. In your experience, why is this happening?

Farmer: It mostly comes down to economics. Costs keep rising land, fuel, inputs while prices don’t always keep pace. On top of that, it’s harder to pass farms down. The next generation looks at the hours and the uncertainty and sometimes decides to go a different direction. It’s not just one thing—it’s pressure from all sides.

Question: What impact do large agricultural corporations have on your day-to-day operations and the industry as a whole?

Farmer: They’ve got a big influence on how the whole system runs. From seed to processing to distribution, a lot of it’s controlled by a handful of companies. That can limit options for farmers and put pressure on pricing. For consumers, it can mean consistency and lower cost, but it also creates some distance between the food and where it’s coming from.

Question: There is a lot of debate regarding industrial farming methods and GMOs. What role do these play on a farm like yours?

Farmer: Modern methods and technology are a big part of keeping farms productive. We use a lot of that ourselves—efficiency matters at our scale. GMOs have helped with yields and pest control in certain crops. That said, it’s part of a larger system that tends to favor scale, and not every farm fits into that model the same way.

Question: Do you feel that the average consumer truly understands the process and the risks involved in getting food to their table?

Farmer: I think there’s a growing interest, but still a gap. A lot of people are a few steps removed from agriculture, so they don’t always see what goes into producing food—the timing, the risk, the investment. When you’re doing it every day, you realize how much has to go right.

Question: Why do you believe it is important for the public to continue supporting local and mid-sized farms?

Farmer: It helps keep agriculture rooted in the community. Local farms support local businesses, maintain open land, and provide fresh product. Even for a farm our size, local support makes a difference—it builds relationships and keeps things more connected.

Question: If you could influence policymakers, what specific changes would you suggest to improve the stability of the farming industry?

Farmer: I’d say focus more on making programs accessible across different farm sizes. Mid-sized farms especially could use more targeted support—we’re carrying significant costs but don’t always qualify the same way as larger operations. Also, anything that helps with land access and long-term stability would go a long way.

Question: For individuals who want to help but aren't sure how, what can they do to support farmers like yourself?

Farmer: Supporting local farms when possible is a big one. Whether that’s buying local produce or just being aware of where food comes from. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing—even small choices add up over time.

Question: Finally, how have these economic and systemic challenges changed the landscape of your local farming community?

Farmer: You see consolidation happening—fewer farms, but larger ones overall. Some neighbors have gotten out, others have expanded to stay competitive. It changes the feel of a farming community. We’re still here, still producing, but it takes more planning and a lot more management than it used to.