TIL alot of farmers are nowhere near poor.
@basedbagel Well, they are not poor, but they are in crushing debt and leveraged to the max. The government is constantly placing restrictions on them and they are bought out by companies like Monsanto and Cargill. These companies place even more restrictions i.e. they cannot reuse seeds; they have to keep buying new seeds and are required, by contract, to only use specific fertilizers, which are proprietary from the same company. It is a total racket. They just want to keep the family farm.
@sardonicsmile I knew it was bad bu that was enlightening.
I always saw farmers as these poor/working class midwest people but I met a farm couple and they aren't poor at all.
They have 12 acres, own their home and started a side business.
I'm not trying to take away from their struggle but but the average farmer is boomer age and they've got some $$.
If anyone actually cared about the children like they say the do they would put these kids in trades or teach them how to grow food.
@basedbagel I think the older generation farmers are established; they have had their land for generations. It is a tough business. Once these companies contract with them and they become lease owners (of their own land) thats when they put the squeeze on them. They run them into bankruptcy and buy them out for pennies on the dollar. I understand most of their children are college educated and do not want any part of the business; despite it being the Family Farm. Farmers eventually sell off