Image by: Julia Scott

Growing Pains: new farmers break the mold

From: KALW
Length: 09:33

Thousands of acres of farmland disappear each year in California -- to make way for suburbs and office parks – when that land is developed, the dreams of a new generation of farmers can disappear. Although the average farmer today is over 55, the high demand for organic produce has inspired a younger group of farmers to start tilling the earth. But these new farmers are struggling to find land they can afford and a business model that works. Reporter Julia Scott has the story. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Growing Pains: new farmers break the mold
From: KALW

Seg_a_small Thousands of acres of farmland disappear each year in California -- to make way for suburbs and office parks – when that land is developed, the dreams of a new generation of farmers can disappear. Although the average farmer today is over 55, the high demand for organic produce has inspired a younger group of farmers to start tilling the earth. But these new farmers are struggling to find land they can afford and a business model that works. Reporter Julia Scott has the story.

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Piece Description

Broadcast History

KALW 91.7 FM:
January 24, 2011

Transcript

Thousands of acres of farmland disappear each year in California -- to make way for suburbs and office parks – when that land is developed, the dreams of a new generation of farmers can disappear. Although the average farmer today is over 55, the high demand for organic produce has inspired a younger group of farmers to start tilling the earth. But these new farmers are struggling to find land they can afford and a business model that works. Reporter Julia Scott has the story.

* * *

JULIA SCOTT: Rebecca Thistlethwaite and her husband Jim Dunlop founded TLC Ranch six years ago in Aromas, California near Monterey Bay. She’s 36. He’s 41. After time spent on other careers, and then on other farms, they thought they were ready to start a business of their own. Their dream was to own a small ranch and sell farm-raised, free-range eggs and pork to California’s Central Coast community....
Read the full transcript