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“Every generation of farmers has asked the same question: What do we do with what we have?”
In this solo episode of Farming on Purpose, I take a deep dive into the history of agriculture — not just as a timeline of events, but as a story of resource allocation.
From subsistence survival to the Homestead expansion, through industrialization, the Green Revolution, the 1980s farm crisis, and into today’s era of transition and generational transfer, one theme remains constant: producers must decide how to allocate what is scarce.
In earlier eras, it was labor. Then land. Then machinery. Then knowledge. Then capital. Today? It may be energy, leadership, and continuity.
This episode explores how global events reshaped agriculture in 20-year spans — and why the next 20 years may change more than we realize as 70% of U.S. farmland is expected to change hands.
If you are thinking about transition, sustainability, leadership, or simply trying to build something that lasts — this episode will challenge how you think about your operation.
Key Topics:
- The Subsistence & Survival Era: Farming when the margin for error was zero
· The Homestead Era: Expansion, ownership, and the belief that growth meant opportunity
· Industrialization: Tractors, mechanization, and managing debt as a new resource
· The Green Revolution: Science, yield, and knowledge replacing land as the growth engine
· The 1980s Farm Crisis: Debt, collapse, and the emotional toll rarely discussed
· How farm size grew 200% while the farm population fell 97%
· Why local food sales increased 140% before 2020
· The largest generational land transfer in U.S. history happening right now
· Why management — not land — may be the true limiting factor today
· Sustainability as personal, financial, and generational — not just environmental
Reflection Questions from This Episode:
This episode closes with practical questions every producer should consider:
- Where is my energy actually going?
- What resources am I protecting — and which ones am I spending without realizing it?
- What am I doing out of habit instead of intention?
- If I stepped away for six months, what would break?
- What problem is my operation actually solving?
- Am I allocating resources reactively or strategically?
- Am I building something transferable — or something only I can carry?
- What resource will matter most in the next 20 years?
- What does sustainability really mean in my context?
- Who needs to be part of these conversations before they become urgent?
LINKS
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Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family’s Legacy – A practical conversation about transition planning, family communication, and protecting the long-term future of your operation. A strong follow-up to Jace’s insights on decentralized leadership and building a farm that outlasts one generation.
Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-87-farm-succession-planning-securing-your/id1652386715
Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business – An honest look at building a growing business while raising a family. This episode pairs well with Jace’s discussion on leadership, structure, and creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.
Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-parenthood-building-a-business/id1652386715
Year-End Tax Planning and Financial Confidence on the Farm – A finance-focused episode covering taxes, recordkeeping, and strategic cash flow planning. Perfect for listeners who want to go deeper after hearing Jace explain why monthly financial clarity matters.
Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/year-end-tax-planning-and-financial-confidence/id1652386715
About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
