The Next Frontier
Jan 02, 2013
From Legacy Moment (12/28/2012).
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Help me imagine the next frontier. We all know how America was settled—east to west: first the explorers, then the hunters, followed by the pioneers who founded the settlements, which developed into small towns that eventually became the cities. In the last rush, some traded rural life for urban convenience.
I think we're on the verge of a renaissance—a new frontier, if you will. This frontier is defined by possibility and the growing demand for certain qualities that, until recently, have largely been devalued. Consider the social, economic and agrarian opportunities that might be available across the small towns and agricultural centers that dot the landscape.
As we envision the next generation of professional farmers and ranchers, might there be unforeseen advantages to resettling the small towns and creating unique business offerings that complement a rural lifestyle? As we consider agricultural opportunities, are there certain products and services that might be more effectively addressed from a local farming operation?
There are many ways to create a viable agricultural operation. From farming methods to crop selection, from large-scale operations to agritourism ventures, the perfect opportunity is limited only by the imagination of a well-prepared agripreneur. Rather than feel like it has to meet some standard definition of viable, use your creativity to design an operation that fits your ideal.
Just maybe, we'll once again head for the "next frontier" to create something better than past generations ever dreamed possible.
News & Resources for You:
This young dairy couple has found a rewarding way to maintain their rural lifestyle while drawing upon the resources of a nearby city.
In this 2011 episode of "Leave a Legacy TV," meet a thriving farmer who declares, "Now the city has encompassed us...which presents some challenges, but it also presents some future opportunities."
Ready to create your dream farm in 2013?
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS
