What’s it like to be a farmer?
Why/how did you decide to be a farmer?
How long has farming been a part of your life? How long has it been a part of your family’s life?
What crops do you grow?
How do you grow your crops? Do you use fertilizer? How do you irrigate the plants? Do you use integrated pest management?
Where do you get your seeds from? Are they heirloom seeds passed down from previous generations of your family?
Do you grow organic crops? What are the benefits and challenges of growing crops organically?
Do you use genetically modified seeds? What is your opinion of GMO foods?
Who buys your crops? Where do you sell them? Do you supply a large amount of produce to chain stores?
How do you make sure your crops (and the resources used to grow them) are sustainable?
What happens if there’s a drought, severe weather, crop damage from pests, etc.? What do you do?
Do you provide any services besides selling crops? (Example: Halloween corn mazes) Do you offer programs for school children?
Do you use any alternative energy sources on your farm? (Wind mills, solar panels, etc.)
What is your opinion of fracking for natural gas extraction?
Do you have an opinion about companies extracting spring water for bottled water sales? Does that affect your farm in any way?
How is the government involved with farming? (Local, state, and federal?)
What are the bare minimum requirements for plants to grow?
What is the best part/your favorite part of your job?
What is the most difficult part of your job?
What would happen in a world without farmers? Do we have enough farmers? How can we get more students to pursue agricultural careers?
What advice would you have for a student who wants to start a career in agriculture? What if the student had little/no experience with it so far?