By Sandra Matheson, DVM
When examining the health of our ecosystem processes, observing the Community Dynamics of fauna and flora provides critical information to us. The question is, based on a number of factors including age classification, is this community thriving?
The same holds true in human populations – especially in farming and ranching. From the 2022 Census of Agriculture, we see that the average age of U.S. farmer is 58.1 years. This is older than in the 2017 Census. With only few exceptions, the increased aging trend has continued for several decades.
Biodiversity is critical in any population. This includes both the type of organism and age. If we are observing plants on the land, do we see seedlings and young recruits? Is there a spectrum of age classifications? Or do we find only mature and decadent plant remnants? If it is the latter, we can conclude that this is a dying community.
Are farming and ranching dying professions? Are farmers and ranchers a dying population? Should we be concerned? Well, yes, if we wish to keep eating.
Many civilizations have risen and fallen. There are several possible reasons for societal collapse: social unrest, war, drought, famine, disease, poor leadership, overpopulation, environmental degradation, economic decline, and more. If you look at the root cause of these factors, it has been shown throughout history that when agriculture dies, so does civilization. People need to eat. Scarcity, perceived or real, often leads to fear, greed, social unrest, violence, war, disease, death, mass migration, and/or eventual collapse.
Roots of Resilience has been conducting the New Rancher and New Cowgirl Camps for adults since 2017. Beth Robinette and I were the original facilitators and later brought on Alex Machado for the New Cowgirl Camps. Doug Warnock co-facilitated New Rancher Camp (coed). Beth, Alex, Madison Throop (RoR director) and I recently returned from a camp in northern California. This was a hybrid of the New Cowgirl Camp and Grazing School of the West. We, along with Brittany Cole Bush and her crew had the pleasure to present to an amazing and diverse group of new and aspiring ranchers. They came from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, locations, interests, ages, ethnicity and more.
In my opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than facilitating, mentoring, and inspiring a group of people who will become the next generation of farmers and ranchers. If agriculture and humanity are to survive, this must become a priority. Any community, plant or human, needs young recruits for it to be healthy, thrive, and to endure. When I am not at camp, I support and encourage my grandchildren’s interests on the farm.
Roots of Resilience works to create thriving agricultural communities by teaching, supporting, and inspiring diverse groups of people. If you are interested in learning more about the New Cowgirl or New Rancher Camps, please contact us.