Farming Is the New 'Sexy Profession'

Cannot let another minute go by without passing along this Crain’s Chicago Business story about how farming is the new “sexy profession.”

Ah, a rock star story about farming. I’d missed those. My last rock star post was in June.

Crain’s goes all out, leading with sensational headline, “Farmers are a hot commodity; outdoorsy and nurturing in the new sexy profession.”

“Indeed,” the business pub asserts, “farmers seem to be the toast of the town these days.”

To back up the claim, the publication notes:

1. Over a six-hour period during Labor Day Weekend, Chicago’s Green City Market counted a record crowd of 9,000 shoppers.

2. The growing popularity of “farm dinners” served at the farm with the farmer herself at the table.

3. Foodies not only know the names of the chefs, but of the farmers who grew the food or raised the meat.

So who is this new breed of farmer, attracting the media, stirring interest among investors and drawing tourists?

They are young, well-educated and eager to connect with their audience consumers. Oh, and unlike their shy, keep-to-themselves forefathers, they embrace marketing.

The story is over the top, but I can’t disagree that farming and farmers are hot.

Photo from h.koppdelaney’s Flickr photostream.