This podcast discusses The Seed Farm located in Emmaus, PA that works to provide incoming farmers with a proper education about farming and especially how to run a business. By leasing them land, technology, and guidance, The Seed Farm is able to create the next generation of farmers all of whom are prepared with the necessary qualifications and resources to buy their own land and be successful once graduating. The Seed Farm was “initially developed by Lehigh County and Penn State Cooperative Extension with the support of a three-year USDA grant,” having the primary goal of supporting farmland preservation through guiding the next generation of farmers (The Seed Farm, n.d.). The organization believes that this is what the future of farming will entail. Discussing different perspectives, like administrators, graduates, and current incubators, and the different benefits produced by The Seed Farm, this podcast dives deeply into how this path can lead us to a future food system focused on inclusivity, locality, and especially environmental preservation in and around the Lehigh Valley. To get to this future food system, one must consider a variety of factors besides just the food. The Seed Farm does this and more through focusing on the business side of farming where farmers are able to build up “capital, credit history, … and to have a customer base” for when they are able to become successful independent farmers (Torres, 2020). By ensuring access to the necessary resources to start a farm, The Seed Farm is leading the way in alleviating any barriers that can prevent people from creating their own business. As the structure of farming impacts our present-day food system, we are left to wonder if this is the start of a better food system nation-wide.
I’m pleasantly surprised at all of the efforts the Lehigh Valley has towards preserving farm land and making a better food system; the Seed Farm clearly plays a central role in making that happen. You mentioned that the Seed Farm grows food for a CSA available for St. Luke’s employees – one of my friends is a nurse at St. Luke’s and participates in the CSA, and she has nothing but good things to say about it. I think ideas like this are really valuable in getting the greater Lehigh Valley community to be aware of the importance of local foods and how they can contribute to the vision of a better food system. I thought that your podcast was very informative and I learned a lot about a farm I knew nothing about, even though it’s less than 20 minutes from my hometown.
1.I really like getting know about the effort that the seed farm is doing. Rather just existing as farm, its encouraging other and breaking down the barriers for the younger generation to get into farming. I didn’t know that there were Business incubators for farming like this.
2.I really like the included interview of Lindsey Parks. Hearing her say that it’s not just about preserving the land, its about preserving the farmers was a nice quote to hear. I also like how she talked about the people that they help get started need to have layers to their plans and understand that especially with farming, things won’t be ideal. Rather then selling this fake perfect idea that everything will be perfect if you get into farming; she teaches people about farming and the inevitable hardships they’ll face