Farmers are Entrepreneurs

Somehow I stumbled upon Penelope Trunk’s website this morning. Very quickly I read this quote below – which reminded of conversations I have had recently – so I had to share it!

Farming is changing a lot. It’s a lot like what you say about how corporations won’t take care of you and you have to take care of yourself.

… by Penelope’s farmer

I may become a farmer within the next 12 months. When we move our family to Kangaroo Island; Bees will be our main focus, plus we like to keep goats, chickens, geese, vegetables, and a dog. My wife and our kids will move over first, I will follow them after I complete a few job contracts here in Adelaide. It will happen.

Then I found this comment on the article that says exactly why farmers are entrepreneurs. So I have adapted the comment text to best fit our situation:

It’s true: Beekeeper farmers are entrepreneurs and marketing gurus.
We have to be: With family farm’s nearing extinction due to government intervention, middleman markups and overall high economic issues, they have to find a way to make their money at a grassroots level.
Many farmers combat this by creating their own product or restricting their product range. Rather than selling their product to international and impersonal conglomerates, now make their own boutique or unique products – then sell them to niche markets and a smaller customer base.
What’s amazing about entrepreneurial farmers is they manage to create a means of carrying on a family-owned business. By creating high-quality premium products – local products that defy corporate enterprise – they will stand out in their local community. Better yet, they often preserve their land, keeping the environment pristine and natural, instead of selling it off to real-estate developers.

… by Penelope’s farmer

Penelope also says exactly why I look forward to being a farmer after twenty five years of Adelaide city life.

That felt good to tell you all. May the future also be entrepreneurial for you!