Diversity in Agriculture

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. When you think of a farmer, what vision comes to mind? Male? Older? Rough looking? But farming today is much more diverse than it used to be.

Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center, says the diversity is truly vast, with people from all walks of life and cultures …

LEWISON … “Because, too many people, I think, still have this notion that farmers wear bib overalls and carry a pitchfork and look something like Ma and Pa Kettle, right. But when we really look at what agriculture in Washington, and to a certain extent the United States, looks like, in modernity, it’s very different from that.”

And, Lewison says we should all appreciate that …

LEWISON … “I think it’s unfortunate that we have a lot of folks who still really see agriculture as sort of this tunnel vision, one lens kind of group of people.”

Today’s farming landscape, Lewison says might surprise you …

LEWISON … “There are large and small farms. There are farms that are run exclusively, owned and operated by women. There are farms that are owned and operated by immigrant families. We have a very rich and diverse fabric in food production, now, that is unique.”

Again, that is Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center.