James Keys and Hannah Brown have had a challenging year and a half.
The Missoula couple established Primrose Farm and Bakehouse in December 2022 on a 4-acre plot of land on Mullan Road. During this time, they have worked tirelessly at farmers markets, tended to bees and chickens, grown their own flour, sacrificed sleep to bake, set up makeshift deer fences, and launched their own farmstand.
Despite the ongoing tasks, the couple is passionate about farming. Keys expressed, “Some things are hard. But I think that with farming, I at least personally have identified it as one of those hard but so, so, so worth it things. And I think more and more people are coming to that realization.”
Keys, 26, and Brown, 27, are part of a group of young farmers in and around Missoula who are making their mark in an industry that is tough to break into.
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According to the USDA’s 2022 census, the median age of a farmer in Montana was 59.3 years old, with over 65% of farmers being over the age of 54. Only 8% were classified as “young producers” — farmers 34 years old or younger.
The challenges of entering the industry are high, especially for young farmers without a background in wealth or family farming. These obstacles have increased over the years.
Katie Madden, 31, and Max Smith, 34, run Winter Kissed Farm in Stevensville. Smith founded the farm in 2013 and Madden joined four years later. The farm’s focus on winter growing practices has led to significant success, with revenues over $400,000 a year and increased wages for employees.
Despite the difficulties, young farmers like Ellie Costello, 38, are determined to overcome obstacles in land acquisition. Costello operates Trust Land Farm on a 10-acre plot leased from Neva Hassanein, an environmental studies professor at the University of Montana.
Accessing and affording land remains a major challenge for young farmers nationwide. Erin Foster West from the National Young Farms Coalition emphasizes the importance of land for farming and the increasing difficulty in acquiring it.
Hassanein is working to preserve farmland by selling it to Trust Montana, a community land trust that will provide favorable leasing terms for farmers. The goal is to support young farmers in accessing land for sustainable agriculture.
Starting a farm is not just about farming but also about starting a business. Resources like those provided by CFAC help young farmers navigate the challenges of starting and maintaining a successful farm operation.
Britta Janssen, 29, and Sam Robison, 30, founders of Small Talk Farm, highlight the importance of off-farm income to support their farming venture. Balancing the business aspects with a love for farming is a key lesson for them.
Keys and Brown, alongside other young farmers, have faced the realities of farming, from long hours to financial challenges. Despite the obstacles, they remain committed to their vision of sustainable agriculture and community engagement.
The journey of young farmers like Keys, Brown, Madden, Smith, Costello, Janssen, and Robison showcases the resilience and passion driving the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs in Montana.
Alexia Partouche is a news intern for the Missoulian.
