This story was originally published in the 2023 Local Food Guide.
In the state of Michigan, there are just under 10 million acres of farmland across 47,600 farms. Year after year, the state sees a 6% decrease in agricultural acreage lost to development. For many in the industry, farming isn’t just a business, but a way of life. When a farmer is ready to retire, they face the difficult decision of whether to pass the farm off to the next generation or sell it to developers.
For Jim and Crystal Zynda of Full Circle Farms, the decision is easy. Now a revived third-generation farm, the Zyndas picked up the mantle from Crystal’s grandfather, Alpha Cogswell, in 2012.
“The dream is to have our daughters take over a financially independent farm,” says Zynda. “When we hit retirement age, the farm will be paid off. We aren’t taking on extra debt and investment; we want to manage the debt we assumed and get to a place of financial sustainability.”
The Zynda’s want to leave a generational legacy for their children. Two of their three daughters, Claire and Renee, currently work on the farm. Claire has taken an interest in the family tradition of raising pasture-fed pigs. Her education is a blend of family tradition and working with other farmers in the area, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and incorporating knowledge from the surrounding farming community. Their daughter Renee pursued a different interest and launched a flower business on the property, Full Circle Flowers. “She grabbed the rose by the thorns!” Jim beams.
The Zynda family exemplifies Michigan’s farming future. In their case, the path to sustainable agriculture is not only about building agribusiness but an agri-family as well.
How should the next generation pursue a career in agriculture? Zynda advises, “Find life learning opportunities. Take internships on farms and gain that immersive learning experience. When you start with your passion in front of you, you read fewer books and live more life. Living the farmer experience is what being a farmer is all about. Staying connected to the land is what will drive the industry.”