Young Farmers

Winter 2025

Young Farmers

From the Executive Director

Dear Living Roots Readers,

As we close out another year, we extend our deepest gratitude for the dedication, resilience, and hard work you bring to your farms, families, and communities. This past season presented some big challenges, and we especially hope that those affected by Hurricanes Debby, Ernesto, Helene, and Milton are finding recovery and strength. Our thoughts remain with you, your loved ones, and the land you tend and steward.

In this issue, we are proud to share stories of hope and innovation. We feature five young farmers who demonstrate that farming is more than growing crops — it’s about building vibrant, connected communities. We’re also proud to announce a new tool RAFI helped design to analyze the relationship between grocery store concentration and food access issues. Lastly, we’ve included essential guidance on what to watch for to protect your farm business when entering into contracts.

To our valued readers — farmers, colleagues, and champions of sustainable agriculture — your unwavering commitment inspires and sustains us. As we look toward 2025, we wish you a joyful holiday season and hope the coming year brings you health, happiness, and new opportunities to grow and thrive. RAFI stands with you, as always, ready to support and uplift our shared vision for a more equitable and resilient agricultural future.

With appreciation and warmest wishes,

Edna Rodriguez

Executive Director

Beyond the Buzzwords

by
Regenerative. Climate-Smart. Sustainable. Organic. The world of agriculture is bursting with eco-friendly alternatives to the modern industrial model. But where do these movements come from, what do they mean, and how are they different from each other?
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Mind the Gap

by Melanie Canales
Corporate concentration in the grocery industry can contribute to food insecurity, especially in rural communities. RAFI's Grocery Gap Atlas visualizes the relationship between corporate concentration and food access.
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Growing More Than Crops

by Beth Hauptle, Kara Hoving, Zacha Muñiz, and Hope Ostane-Baucom
Young farmers across the U.S. are doing more than growing crops - they're building community and working to redefine the future of agriculture. Meet five rising stars in this new generation of farmers stewarding the land and uplifting their communities.
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Contract Confidence 

by Benny Bunting and Kara Hoving
Managing contracts is an essential part of running a successful farming business. Contracts help farmers plan for the future and balance financial risks. Seemingly small details in a contract can make a huge difference in your farm’s financial security and whether you are eligible for various grants and programs, including USDA funding. 
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Q & A

Field and Feast