Check It Out: Agriculture

Agriculture keeps our society running. Without it, we wouldn’t have food to eat! As a central part of any economy—and with the average age of farmers going up, according to data from the latest Census of Agriculture—this industry needs young people. The suggestions below will help you decide if farming might be the career for you. 

Books

• Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life, by Julia Rothman. This book offers a delightful illustrated introduction to the world of farm living. If you’ve ever been curious about how to build a barn or tell crops apart, this book answers those questions and many more. Brimming with drawings and diagrams, it’s a great way to start building your agriculture vocabulary. Recommended for ages 8–10. 

• The Farm That Feeds Us: A Year in the Life of an Organic Farm, by Nancy Castaldo. This lushly illustrated book takes readers through an exciting year on an organic farm. Helpfully broken down into the four seasons, it gives readers an appreciation for the life cycle of a farm, from tilling to planting and harvesting. And for those interested in farm animals, the book covers an array of topics, including milking cows and maintaining bees during the winter. Recommended for ages 8–11. 

• George Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist, by Janet & Geoff Benge. Part of the Heroes of History series, this book tells how George Washington Carver overcame his humble beginnings to become one of the nation's most celebrated agricultural scientists. The inspiring tale is a testament to Carver’s achievements, and demonstrates agriculture’s important role in American history. Recommended for ages 10–14. 

Movies

• The Biggest Little Farm (2018, PG). Follow the incredible story of John and Molly Chester and their dog Todd as they leave Los Angeles, California, in the hopes of creating a diverse, sustainable farm. This beautifully shot documentary captures the joys and hardships of raising plants and animals over an eight-year period. The Chesters’ dedication to making their dream come true is an inspiration for any aspiring farmer. 

• Farmland (2014, G). This documentary spotlights six young farmers and ranchers, taking viewers into the challenging yet rewarding day-to-day routines of agriculture professionals. These men and women provide an introduction to the industry and clearly present the challenges that come with different methods of farming. Witnessing the hard work that farming entails, viewers will appreciate that success in this industry is impossible without passion.

• Kiss the Ground (2020, PG). Narrated by actor and activist Woody Harrelson, this documentary offers an in-depth and hopeful look at the issue of soil erosion. Scientists and farmers educate viewers about topics including composting, irrigation, and biodiversity to explore how agriculture can address this problem and benefit the global climate. This is an important film for anyone interested in how the science of farming can improve the environment. 

TV Shows:

• All Creatures Great and Small (2020–Present). Based on a classic series of books, this series provides a charming glimpse of rural English life in the 1930s. Although set among beautiful farmland and quaint villages, the series offers a realistic depiction of the career of a farm veterinarian. The main character, James Herriot, embodies the compassion and decision-making skills needed to properly treat the animals in his care. 

• America’s Heartland (2005–Present). This long-running public television series takes viewers across the United States to explore farming, ranching, and food production. If you’re interested in an introduction to what the series offers, check out Season 11’s special episode about a Utah cattle drive, following a ranching family that embarks on an annual 30-mile trip with 200 cattle in tow. The program’s website features helpful student study guides as well as a video series, Fun Facts About Food.

• Farm Dreams (2023). In this docuseries from National Geographic, host and agriculture expert Indy Officinalis travels cross-country to help budding family farms reach their full potential, from a kelp farm in Alaska to a food forest in Missouri. The families featured in this series are heartwarming examples of the perseverance needed to make any dream a reality.