Profoundly inspirational farmer quotes will challenge the way you think, change the way you live and transform your whole life.
Famous Farmer Quotes
Let’s be clear. Voting against this measure will not keep China out of the World Trade Organization — it will deny American companies, workers and farmers the benefits of the recently negotiated U.S.-China trade deal that lowers barriers to American goods and services. – Thomas Donohue
Whether some may like it or not, I am still the farmer that I was born as and will continue to be one. – Sharad Pawar
Some days you feel like this is really going well. You can tell. Other days, you’re just drawing like a farmer and you don’t know why. – Pat Oliphant
Each of us has about 40 chances to accomplish our goals in life. I learned this first through agriculture, because all farmers can expect to have about 40 growing seasons, giving them just 40 chances to improve on every harvest. – Howard Graham Buffett
What we can learn from historical plant domestication will benefit our ongoing and future effort to domesticate energy crops that will be equally important to the long-term sustainability of our society. It is remarkable how the earliest farmers could have selected a single mutation in DNA to develop a major food crop of the world. – Tao Sang
The majority of small-holder farmers in Africa are women and, in urban areas, you’re primarily looking at women-led households. So we can’t solve hunger if we don’t have gender-sensitive programming that addresses access to opportunities for women, whether it’s through education or tools for cooking, like solar-powered stoves. – Ertharin Cousin
If we make it national policy that we will support small farmers the way we support agribusiness, we’ll suddenly see it change in terms of the cost of organic food. – Ruth Reichl
I’m engaged in food on so many levels, and I love that. So my work, my craft, is around food, and writing is one aspect of it; communicating a narrative, cooking online is one aspect of it; solving the food chasm that we have in Harlem and finding a farmers market is another one, and all of them are equally exciting for me. – Marcus Samuelsson
In Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, the government in a matter of years has put a lot of energy behind recycling food waste as livestock feed. It’s environmentally friendly, it provides cheap livestock feed for the farmers in those parts of the world, and it avoids sending the food waste to landfill. – Tristram Stuart
I have represented farmers in federal court during the Iowa farm crisis. A farmer from Butler County. I don’t think Sen. Grassley had that life experience. It’s just a simple difference of who we are and where we’ve come from. – Bruce Braley
Monsanto is desperate to recapture royalties from its GM seeds, and terminator is the perfect solution because it would be able to biologically ensure that farmers have to return to the market every year. – Lucy Sharratt
The act of eating is very political. You buy from the right people, you support the right network of farmers and suppliers who care about the land and what they put in the food. – Alice Waters
Through his dedicated and sustained efforts in Bangladesh, Laos and other countries in south-east Asia, Dr. Gupta made small-scale aquaculture a viable means for over one million very poor farmers and women to improve their families’ nutrition and well-being. – Kenneth Quinn
Previous generations used to eat locally out of necessity. Without options like flash-freezing and worldwide export services, communities had to rely on local farms for all of their meals. In many ways, this was beneficial. People ate fresh, seasonal foods that were naturally flavorful and nutritious, and farmers and communities prospered. – Homaro Cantu
I’m feeling optimistic about rural Pakistan. Farmers are making good money. – Jacqueline Novogratz
There are some farmers who pull up to the elevator here in the fall and just tell the people that this load of corn is going to the foundation. – Dean Chase
No farmers can buy here anymore. And I don’t know how young people can buy a piece of land and build a house in this county. Not unless they’re really educated-and then they have to move away, because there’s no work here. – Bob Brennan
The problem with this country, as in many Asian countries is that a large portion of the chickens are raised by farmers in their backyard and even within the cities, people are raising chickens and this is very difficult to control. – Georg Petersen
Single farmers need to find someone who can relate to what they do. Those people are out there. They just need to meet ’em. – Jerry Miller
I cook. I go to farmers markets in London and cook really good sort of organic foods. – Keira Knightley
The farmers in Kansas are sorely in need of a credit system meeting their special requirements, that they may more readily obtain money on short or long time for their farming operations, or that they may become owners of farms. – Arthur Capper
Since there isn’t any yield difference between the best SCN-resistant varieties and the best SCN-susceptible varieties, we recommend farmers start planting them at low SCN populations. – Palle Pedersen
Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up. – Tom Vilsack
We have to understand that we want to pay the farmers the real price for the food that they produce. It won’t ever be cheap to buy real food. But it can be affordable. It’s really something that we need to understand. It’s the kind of work that it takes to grow food. We don’t understand that piece of it. – Alice Waters
Solving the problems facing agriculture, rural areas and farmers remains a top priority of our work, – Wen Jiabao
I don’t know how the poor farmers deal with such situations in real life. It’s really sad. – Sanjay Dutt
The farmer and manufacturer can no more live without profit than the labourer without wages. – David Ricardo
As long as there’s a few farmers out there, we’ll keep fighting for them. – Willie Nelson
I can’t help but recall my dad and mom. Depression era kids, 8th and 9th grade educations, clawed and scratched to make a living as dairy farmers their whole life. At least two drought cycles nearly took it all away. They just worked harder, longer… and they made it. – Bob Beauprez
How will you know a good farmer when you meet him? He will not ask you for any favors. – Jane Smiley
When farmers own 70 per cent of the company, a government decision that reduces their income is not going to go down too well. – Greg Canavan
We’ve got nine generations of farmers in my family, in Warwickshire. And I do feel connected to being a farmer’s son. There was a time when I didn’t, when I rebelled against it, but there’s certainly that sort of work ethic within me. – Joseph Mawle
We all need to know how to cook. I can buy a chicken and have many meals come from it. Is it affordable? Yes. Cheap? No. I want to pay the farmers the right price for food. They deserve it. They are the most important people in the country besides our teachers. – Alice Waters
With these favorable policies, Chinese farmers are not far from enjoying a new life of tax-free farming, free education and cheap medication. – Ma Xiaohe
We need a strong farm bill that gives assistance to farmers during times of drought, creates markets for local goods, protects our environment, and helps struggling families bridge the gap between hard times and a full dinner table. – Keith Ellison
I said the export benefit should go to all the farmers in the country through the mills spread across the country, in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Now what happens? This benefit goes to those mills or export houses in Mumbai. Or in Chennai or in Bangalore. – K. V. Thomas
Now that we’ve discovered how to actually develop policies and projects holistically, if we can get the barriers out of the way and release the creativity that’s in our universities, our farming organizations, amongst our farmers and land managers, we’ll be astounded. As I’d like to express it, the human spirit will fly. – Allan Savory
California’s drought affects everyone in the state, from farmers to fishermen, business owners to suburban residents, and everyone has a role to play in using precious water resources as wisely and efficiently as possible. – Frances Beinecke
Nine farmers across India have committed suicide after their businesses suffered huge losses. – O. Singh
Old Iron’ is the mechanical system that farmers have used for decades. But agriculture Tuesday relies heavily on computer technology. Computers on tractors make them more productive, more efficient. Now we have a new challenge. Is it possible to make them more intelligent? – Qin Zhang
Nelson brought us to Texas. And now we’re going to use cotton seed oil or used cooking oil to produce two million gallons of fuel for this community. Every community will experiment with what works best in their community. Cotton can’t be grown in all areas, but the local farmers know what grows best and they can rotate their crops to reduce the need for pesticides. – Bob King
We want to collect as many supplies as possible, … I encourage North Carolina farmers who have extra or surplus items to donate to their counterparts in Mississippi. – Steve Troxler
I’m a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice. – Bill Monroe
My dad farmed, my granddad was a farmer. I wanted to be a farmer. – Sam Brownback
When I attend environmental group meetings, people say they appreciate the green space farmers provide. Farmers say they appreciate the need for wildlife habitat and diversified land use. That said, we still haven’t met in the middle. – Steven Rogers
With the permanent elimination of this tax, farmers and business owners will have the sense of security they need to plan for the financial future of their business or farm and their family. – Doc Hastings
I had wanted to be a fish farmer, to be honest with you. I wanted to be an agriculturist. I wanted to have my own fish farm. I was also contemplating surfboard building. – Dustin Clare
We’re going to deal with the local farmers as much as we can. It will keep our menu changing. It will keep us more natural. – John Travis
We also would encourage that resources be allocated to compensate those poor farmers — and most of them are poor farmers — who are raising these poultry … and who, if they are not given the right incentive, will tend to hide what is happening, – Jacques Diouf
Right now, farmers are being penalized for wanting to grow chicory and other crops because there isn’t insurance on non-traditional crops. If the farmer goes to the bank, even the banker won’t back the idea. – John Hanson
There are some issues farmers didn’t like, but they were addressed satisfactorily enough to put this behind them. There’s no question this settlement will help the bottom line of farmers, but I wish it was more. – Matt Cronin
One of my top priorities will be making sure farmers and ranchers get a fair shake and access to markets for their products. – Jay Vavricek
The farmers are older; they are under financial stress to produce more margins, yet they keep getting less. – Joel Salatin
There are two Americas – and millions of the people already distinguish between them. One is the America of the imperialists – of the little clique of capitalists, land lords and militarists, who are threatening and terrifying the world. This is the America the people of the world hate and fear. There is the other America – the America of the workers and farmers and the ‘little people.’ – James Cannon
The only freezing was before Christmas. Farmers like to see 14 days of really cold weather to help trees set a good bloom. A good bloom leads to a good crop. – Steve Hunter
USDA is committed to keeping pace with the needs and progress of American agriculture by supporting new markets and movements that will keep farmers profitable and help create middle class jobs across the country. – Tom Vilsack
We can choose food that doesn’t lead to illnesses like diabetes and cancer. We can choose food that doesn’t contribute to water pollution and climate change. And we can choose food that keeps local economies vibrant and farmers on their land. – Frances Beinecke
We were definitely in drought conditions. It’s nice to get little shots of precipitation instead of one big gulp, which we really don’t need. This will really help the farmers out. – Steve Teachout
Many of the programs are doing a great job, but there are not enough funds. Farmers are willing to do their part, but we need to recognize the economic risks they take when they adopt new land use practices. Rep. Kind’s proposal will give farmers the tools and incentives they need to be better stewards. – Jeff Stein
You do need some dispensation for local farmers, because the fast food industry will promote the unsanitary conditions of farming. With vegetables, you have to be careful where they come from; you have to know the farmers and trust them. If you buy from the farmers’ market, it’s already been investigated. – Alice Waters
If you’ve ever noticed, beauty pageants are a lot like county fairs. The farmers show the cows the same way. They walk their prized Jersey cow across a stage in front of an audience with judges, and maybe the cow even twirls around a couple of times. Then the winning cow gets a satin ribbon draped over it, which has the title and the year on it. – Sherry Argov
With the number of labor-intensive acres going up in California, their behavior does not seem to suggest that they see a labor shortage, even if that’s what they tell reporters. Farmers always think there’s not enough labor. It’s a very unpredictable business. You can’t control the weather. The one thing you can push for is a lax immigration program, or a guest-worker program. – Steven Camarota
When you meet the farmers and go to the farms, you see that they treat their animals like they’re family. It makes a big difference. – David Chang
Be a gentleman farmer. – Juvenal
We want full restitution … so black farmers can move on with their lives. – John Boyd
I expected to be a farmer like my father and brothers. Life seemed pleasant and orderly. – Lawrence Welk
Gen. Banks has issued an order for the instruction of Negro children. Schoolhouses are to be built or rented and Teachers hired for this purpose, and the farmers and planters are to pay the Taxes in support of this. – Knute Nelson
I always wanted to be a farmer. There is a tradition of that in my family. – Bjork
We hope to make contacts and develop relationships with Cuban officials so that Southeast Texas rice farmers can export their fine products into this country in the future, – Nick Lampson
I live in a rural part of Virginia surrounded by farms and farmers. – Barbara Kingsolver
Years ago, hog farmers were giving the manure away, even paying to get rid of it. Now they’re being asked for it and getting paid. It’s economically feasible now. It’s a valuable resource and if it’s managed properly it’s a win-win situation. – David Ward
We’re here to talk about ways that we can diversify our energy portfolio. Ways that we can lessen our dependency on foreign oil, ways that we can strengthen energy in Colorado and give farmers a chance to participate in our overall energy policy. – Rep. Gardner
We’ve asked BNSF to fix these problems, and they haven’t, which is why we’re proceeding with our rail rate complaint with the Surface Transportation Board, … BNSF needs to do more for our farmers and shippers. – John Hoeven
I do feel like food should cost more, because we aren’t paying farmers a living wage. It has to cost more. – Alice Waters
On one hand, it helps farmers in the collar counties take full advantage of their land. But on the other hand, it’s real tough for the local farmers, who are more established in the area, to compete. – Philip Nelson
Wild fish are under threat of extinction because they’re hunted to feed us. Yet land animals that we farm are under no threat of extinction. Shifting from hunting fish to farming fish – where the farmers have the incentive to keep their stocks healthy – could do a tremendous amount of good for wild fish. – Ramez Naam
As for meat, I’m not going to become vegetarian. I’m telling you that right now. I want me a steak. I want me a pork chop. I want me a lamb chop, even a piece of duck every once in awhile. We used to have ham and salami, all that crazy stuff. I can’t eat processed food. I’ve got to find local farmers and get natural foods. – Sharon Jones
Since the federal individual income tax imposes the largest tax burden on the broadest group of farmers and the federal estate tax can affect the ability to transfer the farm operation to the next generation, these changes are of considerable importance to the farm community. – Jack King
When Wal-Mart and McDonald’s start selling organic food, it will drive down the price to farmers and risk growing a new monoculture. – Michael Pollan
Women with minimal access to resources and no access to child care have limited choices that too often mean low-wage and part-time labor. In rural communities in the developing world, when women farmers have unequal access to fertilizers or training, their farm productivity lags behind men. – Lael Brainard
Population densities of farmers and herders are typically 10 to 100 times greater than those of hunter/gatherers. That fact alone explains why farmers and herders everywhere in the world have been able to push hunter/gatherers out of land suitable for farming and herding. – Jared Diamond
One of things we know is that farmers learn from each other, … This helps them share information as well as get information from us. – Howard Schwartz
Many, many farmers have made significant inroads into their cost structure and we have seen a very significant surge in diversification. – David Hudson
When coffee prices fall below production costs, farmers are often forced off their land, and they lose their homes, everything. With fair trade, farmers get a fair price for their harvest with a guaranteed minimum, so they can invest in their crops. – Nell Newman
When I moved to Weiner, there the program was going but it was real weak. They had been through five teachers in four years. Kids didn’t trust the program. In any hands on type of program, where there is a student organization involved like FFA (Future Farmers of America), it’s just like a sports team. – Steve Davies
Know you food, know your farmers, and know your kitchen. – Joel Salatin
Farmers the world over, in dealing with costs, returns and risks, are calculating economic agents. Within their small, individual, allocative domain, they are fine-tuning entrepreneurs, tuning so subtly that many experts fail to recognize how efficient they are. – Theodore Schultz
It is time for Congress to provide relief for tobacco farmers. Since the 1930’s tobacco production has been regulated by a quota system, which required farmers to purchase quota in order to grow tobacco. – Allen Boyd
A lot of crops depend on labor, but they’re done by farmers that don’t communicate with one another. They’re never in the same room together. – Howard Graham Buffett
Maybe you can find farmers who can bring it up to you. – Jeff Davidson
The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. – Will Rogers
The price of diesel has doubled, water rates have doubled, and electric and council tax have gone up. People think farmers are rich, but I wish I could say to people like these companies do: ‘I regret to inform you the price of this heifer has gone up due to an increase in production costs.’ We’re on the open market. – Henry Blake
I am not a pig farmer. The pigs had a great time, but I didn’t make any money. – Willie Nelson
We are lucky to have two strong lawmakers like Simpson and Peterson looking out for America’s sugar producers and the policy on which they depend. Some sugar policy opponents want to put sugar farmers out of business, and it’s comforting to know that our elected representatives will not let that happen. – Don Wallace
The only farmers left farming today are the most efficient ones. – John Morrison
We were concerned that produce that did not meet the size standards of the marketing orders was being thrown away. At the same time there were elderly people who could not afford to have food. We wanted farmers to have an alternative outlet. The idea was to link up the farmer with the consumer through direct marketing. – Jerry Brown
Obviously, this is going to add to that. This is something where farmers have very little opportunity to do alternative things. They end up generally eating the higher fuel costs. – Keith Collins
There are a lot of farmers who have marginal operations who just need help, – Dave Gilmour
