News Release

MADISON, WI, June 9, 2008 -- Grant Wood’s American Gothic has stood as the stereotypical representation of the American farmer for decades. This painting did represent farmers in the early 1900s but agriculture has changed so much in the last century, yet the outdated stereotype prevails. No one experiences the implications of this mindset more than young people who are considering farming as a profession.

            Regan Joehl, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois, Urbana, writes about his feelings in a student essay published in the 2008 Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education.

"While the painting does represent farmers in the early part of the 20th century, I must say that it is time to drop this stereotype and open our eyes to the modern day farmer. Current agriculture is something to be excited about," says Joehl.

Joehl is one of many college educated rural youth who are passionate and excited about redefining agriculture and ensuring that being a farmer is something to be proud of well into the future.

            It is vital that young farmers are attracted to farming as an occupation and step in to carry agriculture into the future. Many farmers, young and old alike, cite the huge investment, risks, and uncertainty of a farming occupation as barriers to starting out in the trade. While these are legitimate issues faced by beginning farmers, such concerns, in one form or another, are a part of just about any occupation a college graduate may encounter.

Joehl says, "I have been told countless times that I am crazy for turning down 'paying' job offers a college education creates for a chance to return home to the family farm. I have passion and optimism about the farming occupation."

             This passion and optimism drove Joehl to be successful in college, not to land a job that offered a guaranteed salary, but to make a living off the land that he grew up being passionate about.

            Joehl is proud to share the passion of farming with numerous other college graduates who will return to the family farm. While the majority of the population maintains a negative, outdated perception of farming, young farmers will successfully work the land to prove them otherwise. Anyone who questions the future of American agriculture or believes a modern day farmer is defined by American Gothic needs only to look into the eager eyes of a young farmer to have their attitude changed.