Recently, there have been discussions about what a family farm is. The answer seems simple: a farm run by a family. However, because farms don’t always look like they did 50 years ago, there has been some debate and confusion over what a family farm truly is.
We thought it important to address this topic. After all, our name is NC Farm Families. Shouldn’t we be able to provide clarity on who we represent? So here goes:
A family farm is one that has a family behind it.
It doesn’t matter how large the farm is.
It doesn’t matter if the farm is multi-generational or new.
It doesn’t matter if the family extends to farm employees.
It doesn’t matter if the family chose to contract with an integrator or are independently operated.
It doesn’t matter if there isn’t a red barn.
It doesn’t matter how many or what size the tractor is.
It doesn’t matter.
We do not constrain the term family farm to a certain size or type or the color of their barn. None of that matters.
What matters is that at the heart of family farms is a passion for the vocation, a love for family, and the fortitude to do hard work.
So, when we say that 96% of farms in the USA are family owned and operated, this is what we mean. They’re men and women raising families and feeding the world. They come in all shapes and sizes. Whether they have 10 acres or 1,000 or raise pigs indoors or on the ground, these things don’t define a family farm, their heart does.
