Tennessee Youth Advocating For Agriculture

Thomas Capps: Tennessee Youth Advocating for Agriculture. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I’m Thomas Capps.

Hadley Brown: No matter what a place in farming looks like, everyone has a role to play in agriculture and can advocate for agriculture.

Thomas Capps: It’s no secret that there aren’t as many young people entering into agriculture as there once was. In fact, the average age of a farmer nationally is 60 years old. But despite the low number of young people entering agriculture, the ones that are getting involved are making their presence felt and advocating for the industry they want to work in. Youth like 4-Her Hadley Brown who recently testified before the Tennessee House Ag Committee on behalf of 4-H.

Hadley Brown: I’m more inspired every time I come to the Capitol because I know that it’s never been about just me, it’s about the entire community of youth and agriculture and youth that are a part of 4-H programs. And I’m always excited to see old faces and new faces that are all looking to advocate for the same message as we are.

Thomas Capps: Brown, a senior in high school, has recently been accepted into Harvard and plans on taking her skills learned in 4-H to advocate for agriculture there too.

Hadley Brown: I’ve been in the 4-H program for over 10 years now. And at each stage I’ve learned something new, I’ve grown in a different way. I didn’t grow up on a large farming operation. I didn’t grow up around a lot of livestock or row crops, but I still have a place in agriculture.

Carter Major: There’s a lot of people that never seen them before. You know, always get the question “Can I pet your cow, you know?” Yeah, they’re friendly. Go right ahead. Go ahead and do it.

Thomas Capps: Wilson County native Carter Major lives and now works on his family’s dairy operation. Even though he’s still in high school. He sharing his family’s story through being active in FFA and educating the public on the dairy industry.

Carter Major: You know, people that aren’t raised on a farm to meet animals we get to explain to them about what we do on a normal day and people get to understand more about animals and what we do to get them here.

Thomas Capps: A new generation of people in agriculture that might be small in number but big in passion for the industry and a desire to help keep it great for decades to come. For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I’m Thomas Capps.