There are a little over 2 million farms in the U.S. today. According to the 2012 census the average age of farmers is 58 years old. This needs to change.

In 2010, the National Young Farmers Coalition was formed. Today, this organization is comprised of 100,000 farmers and consumers. It supports practices and policies that sustain young, independent and prosperous farmers now and in the future.

 Farming must remain a desirable and profitable career and livelihood. The healthiest future for food and farming in the United States will be achieved through the continued support for independent family farms that own and operate their own land and businesses.

In late 2016, I established a new social enterprise called Collective Commitments. One of its primary purposes was to find ways for us to help farmers and fishers in Northern New England to grow, thrive and prosper.

Earlier this month, I was fortunate to meet a young, committed and energetic farmer, Daniel MacPhee who happens to also hold the job of Educational Programs Director of the Maine Organic Farmers & Growers Association (MOFGA). I love and admire this organization. I’ll wrote more about them in the future.

Today, I wanted to just give you a glimpse into Collective Commitments, and another amazing partnership Collective Commitments has with Kiva.org .

This landing page is being sent out, as I write today, by Daniel MacPhee to young farmers who are MOFGA members. http://us.kiva.org/collectivecommitments/