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Young Farmer in Excellence: “Just say yes”

A young farmer says some families may need to diversify their operations to retain the next generation. 

Tera Baker tells Brownfield additional entities were necessary to support coming back to the family’s crop farm.

“That’s led us to diversifying, starting the pumpkin patch, starting the you-pick flowers,” she shares. “We also started a precision ag dealership within that, and now we have some additional parts and services that we’re dealing with as well to try and help diversify, and grow our network with other young farmers.”

Baker says being open to experiences that support a lifestyle suited to her passions has been central to her career on and off the farm.

“The decisions that we’re making, the way that we’re looking at things, and the way we’re thinking about the mid and long-term future are different than what our parents did and what our grandparents did,” she says. “But that dynamic is different today, and we have to be willing to think from a fresh set of eyes and go after it.”

Baker also works full-time as a marketing manager for the Dutch-based dairy-farm technology company Nedap.

She recommends young farmers have financial safety nets in place to protect themselves if working on a multigenerational farm and put an end to legacy pressure.

Baker was recently recognized as the Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer in Excellence Award winner for her work in agriculture and leadership pursuits.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Farm Bureau.