There is a great demand for local produce and the government is really pushing the local produce movement.  The University of Missouri wants to put local produce in its food system.  The State Ag. Director wants to add more farmers’ markets throughout the state.   There is even a new word in the dictionary, “localvore”, a person who tries to eat only food produced within a 100 mile radius of where they live.  As I look at this potential market I also wonder who is going to meet this need.  Most of the farmers I talk to have the same problem, finding good help.  I know of several organic farms that are in danger of shutting down because the owners can’t find help.

Many say young people today just don’t want to work but I haven’t found that to be the case.  It is that they don’t know how to work and no one has given them the desire.  How many young people do you know that list being a vegetable farms as one of their career choices?  There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day.  Teach him to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime”.  I would like to add to that if I may and say if while you are teaching him to fish  you can install a love for fishing you will have a fisherman for lkife.  He will not do it only to provide food but for satisfaction of his labor.  That is what I would loike to be able to do at Share-Life Farms.  I have also found that this is not something that is taught but is caught and for that to happen you need to have the time to work alongside of them so thtey understand your passion.