Maine can harvest more benefits from youth in agriculture

By Andrew Hudacs 

Maine’s youth need more than a job; they need ways to earn money while building workplace skills that help them succeed in a variety of careers. Agriculture-based self employment, such as raising animals, growing vegetables, and creating value-added food products for market, is an effective way for young adults to learn and practice career readiness skills while also supporting Maine’s local food network. With the agricultural fair season and local harvests well underway, this is a prime time to support young farmers.

Maine’s children have been learning workforce skills through agricultural practices since family farms were first established and became the groundwork of our state’s economy. In 2020, according to the Farm Credit East 2020 Northeast Economic Engine Report, direct agriculture sales in Maine had an economic impact of $3.6 billion. Yet, according to a March report to the Maine Legislature, the industry needs more workers. Furthermore, fewer youth are entering farm-related occupations, as seen with the increase in the average age of farmers. Many workers in the agriculture industry today learned skills as children, which is necessary for sustaining our food network.

Maine’s food network is strengthened with more small producers, including youth self employed in agribusiness. For example, the recent bird flu epidemic severely impacted large national producers, resulting in widespread shortages of eggs and increased prices. However, many small, local producers still sold eggs at a very reasonable price (and the cost of a dozen eggs from the 11-year-old down the road from me didn’t budge).

Youth who are interested in self-employed farming practices can make money by producing eggs or maple syrup, growing flowers or vegetables, and raising animals for meat or bees for honey. This work is typically flexible and can be performed outside of school hours, and it doesn’t require a work permit. This type of self employment is especially valuable for rural youth, whose access to job opportunities is more limited, due to fewer local businesses and more limited transportation.

Even if youth aren’t interested in an agriculture-based career, self employment for a few months or years can develop career-ready skills and practices like productivity, goal setting, and time management. Moreover, youth can cultivate a healthy lifelong hobby and deeper understanding of caring for plants and animals. Positive youth development organizations, such as Maine 4-H and FFA, have low cost or free programs that teach kids how to safely grow and produce commercial-grade quality food. Youth also learn safe practices for handling food, such as the USDA food quality standards. Additionally, many programs have mentors to guide youth through business planning, so they learn successful pathways for making money, managing finances, and reducing risk. 

In addition, the money youth make from self-employed agribusiness can be saved for college or other future investments. It is also common for youth to donate their earnings for a good cause, such as supporting fundraisers or other youth activities. For example, last year, I was fortunate to meet a group of 4-H’ers who started farmers market stands, where the proceeds are donated to local food pantries.

Supporting youth agribusiness is incredibly easy. You can patronize farmers markets with products and tables managed by kids. Many agricultural fairs also auction off or sell meat animals raised by youth; adult butchers are available on-site to discuss options for picking up your meat later. Federal and state policy makers can support financial assistance programs for young adults seeking to earn an income from farming practices, such as the USDA Farm Service Agency Youth Loans. Furthermore, state and local education leaders can enact policies that foster more agriculture focused classroom instruction that aligns with rigorous academic standards, which helps ensure students are college and career ready.

Even in the heat of summer, Maine can harvest more benefits from youth in agriculture. Increasing access to quality local food and growing skilled young workers is good for the health and welfare of Maine.

Hudacs is an assistant extension professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for 4-H Teen Leadership and Workforce Development. These are his views and do not express those of the University of Maine System or the University of Maine. He is a member of the Maine chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications.