2020 was a year to remember. It was a year that literally shut down the world. During this time, many of us decided to get “pandemic projects,” the most common one being starting up your own garden. It’s rewarding work that also boosts your mood. Though the pandemic has definitely calmed down, our love of plants hasn’t. People are still all about succulents, roses, and fruit growing these days. Unknowingly, this is leading to the rise of the “Gentleman Farmer,” a role that many upscale men are starting to fall in love with.
But, what is a Gentleman Farmer?
To put it simply, a Gentleman Farmer is a person who typically lives a white-collar life who wants to take a shot at agriculture. This could be the CEO who turns to owning (and working in) his own vineyard, or the New York City-based artist who has a small indoor garden. Their farming is meant to be done ethically.
Understanding who a Gentleman Farmer is can be a good start to an amazing new way to experience a unique bond with nature. Curious? We were, too!
Being One Isn’t New
Shocked? Don’t be. America long held agriculture in high regard, but it took a while for this trend to be back in style. In the 19th century, a “gentleman farmer” was someone who owned farmland as part of his luxury estate. But, there’s a catch. The farm in question was meant to be strictly for entertainment.
Famous Ones Of The Past
Now that you know that there was a codified meaning to the slang term, you might be surprised to find out who fits this bill. Some of the bigger names included:
- President Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Winthrop Rockefeller
- James Jefferson Webster
- Margery Durant
A book on becoming a gentleman farmer from 1802. Definitely not a recent concept
Why Is Being A Gentleman Farmer So Trendy Today?
Honestly, I think it’s a mix of things. However, there are a couple of common themes that we’ve heard mentioned among people who have started to get involved in the world of hobby farming or personal agriculture…
Rewarding Work
People are tired of creating stuff that requires a cellphone to load. They are fed up with all the shallow, fleeting pleasures peddled to them. Getting into agriculture gives them a way to create something that they can actually hold in their hands and sink their teeth to.
Bonding With Nature
Most of us are stuck indoors for a large portion of our workday. We’re also stuck behind a screen, or live in cities, where the most natural thing is a tree that’s been carefully manicured on a sidewalk. It can actually have a serious effect on people’s minds.
Studies show that people who are kept away from nature for long periods of time are more prone to depression and anxiety. Being a Gentleman Farmer is a good way to bond with nature while still keeping your day-to-day.
Sustainability
Though this is not a rule, most Gentleman Farmers seem to have a certain desire to see climate change come to an end. At the very least, they want to help contribute to ethical farming standards in their own way.
People tend to follow grassroots campaigns, especially when it comes from people who are considered to be the upper echelon of society. As a result, many choose to take up farming to help further their goal of making sustainability the norm.
Community And Status
As weird as it is for me to say, there is definitely a certain level of status that comes with agriculture that is done for personal enjoyment. It shows that you are likely to be potentially more aware of the issues that come from climate change and that you may be more aware of food production issues. So, there’s that.
There’s also the fact that Gentleman Farmers tend to click up together. This gives men a way to bond with one another, meet new friends, and even professionally network. In some areas, there are even full-scale clubs for men who fit the “Gentleman Farmer” bill.
Profit
This one may be a bit counterintuitive, simply because of the definition of what a Gentleman Farmer is. However, we’d be lying if we said that profit doesn’t come into play. Most people who partake in this hobby will have way more vegetables (or livestock) than their homes will know what to do with.
When you have over 200 pounds of veggies or so, you’re not going to have much else to do with them aside from sell them. With that said, it’s important to remember that most people who partake in this hobby don’t make much money. However, perhaps this hobby farm can become a career
Fresh Food
Finally, there is something that needs to be said about the luxury of being able to taste farm fresh food. If you’re a foodie like me, you can tell when you’ve eaten food that’s been store-bought, stale, and slightly musty from the carrying containers. Eating food you literally picked from the tree? There is nothing like it.
Understanding What A Gentleman Farmer Is
Though this is mostly a term that’s being thrown around in high-earning communities, the truth is that there are a lot of different aspects of this trend that deserve a little respect. Let’s take a look at what each part of being a Gentleman Farmer means…
- First and foremost, it means that you take part in agriculture. You can either plant plants, or you could raise a specific type of livestock. Either way, you are actively involved in it.
- Second, there is a tendency of partaking in agriculture as a part of the upper class. While this is not a mandatory part of the trend, it definitely seems to go hand in hand. I mean, Warren Buffett’s son is an active member in this community.
- Gentleman Farmers do not farm as a main source of income or sustenance. In the past, this title meant that agriculture was strictly a way of passing the time. Today, things are more lax. This can be as a hobby or as a form of side income.
- Modern Gentleman Farmers generally support sustainable or ethical agriculture. Organic farms are the most common way to show support. However, many also may choose to raise animals in a free-range manner that offers a lot of individual care for each animal. Others, too, are also involved in seed activism.
How To Become A Gentleman Farmer Today
Honestly, there are two ways to do this. The traditional route would be to get enough wealth to buy a farm for your estate, and just hire people to work on it alongside you. However, this assumes that you have that kind of money. Most of us don’t. Heck, I’m still struggling to make rent!
If you want to get a slice of the Gentleman Farmer life but don’t have a budget to buy an actual farm, you can still get a taste of it. These options below are available to you:
- Have An Indoor Garden. Indoor gardens are hot right now. While you may be forced to stick to shade plants, you can still have a pretty neat hydroponic setup with great success.
- Keep Chickens Or Ducks At Home. While most people tend to think of Gentleman Farming as a matter of growing plants, it doesn’t have to be. You can also raise animals as livestock, too!
- Have A Small Outdoor Garden. Many apartments allow you to plant your own plants around the area. If you have a small home or a very lenient condo/apartment, then this is a good way to get the experience.
Work With A Community Garden. Most neighborhoods have a community garden that is in desperate need for volunteers. If your home is not large enough to handle a garden in any capacity, this is a good way to get your gardening on.
