What nobody told me about small farming: I can’t make a living
Duh. Do these people just forget about the principle of economies of scale? How do they think they can possibly compete against huge factory farms? I can understand if you&#x27;re doing a small farm &#x27;for fun&#x27;, but don&#x27;t understand how an otherwise intelligent person can think they can (or should be able to) make good money from it.<p>&gt; As the average age of the American farmer neared 65, I knew young farmers were badly needed in this country.<p>If they&#x27;re truly in demand, one would expect wages or profits to signal that.<p>&gt; none of these things address the policies that dictate how our country’s food system works, policies that have created a society in which the small farmer can’t even earn a living.<p>Some of the policies might not help, but the fundamental reason small farms can&#x27;t compete is that farming has large economies of scale. Some people may be able to find a niche charging high prices for uncommon goods, but that&#x27;s never going to be the bulk of the industry. Expecting small farms to be profitable in that way is like expecting cobblers to make a comeback.