Sowing the Seed

One would only have to take a weekend stroll through one of Austin’s many farmers markets to realize the face of sustainable agriculture is changing. It’s getting younger. As a critical mass of young people reject the industrial food system, a youthful glow has taken over sustainable agriculture. Yes, it’s trendy, but it’s also awesome.

Austin Community College is jumping into the action with the launch of its new farm-to-table sustainable entrepreneurship program. The program is slated for its Elgin, Texas, campus set to open this fall. The program will prepare students for production farming by providing hands-on as well as theoretical training. Through a combination of fieldwork and lecture, students will learn how to operate a sustainable farm. In fact, students will have at least one acre on which to apply their knowledge. The advisory committee helping steer the direction of the program includes Paige Hill of Urban Patchwork, Skip Connett of Green Gate Farms, Emily Erickson of Coyote Creek Farm, and permaculture teacher and local food advocate Dick Pierce.

Though a lot has been written in recent months on the rise of the hipster farmer, the beleaguered term means very little. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter what you call it. Cool or not, it’s happening.