Written by Liz Bunce, Economic Development Specialist

When I look at the state of industry in today’s economy, I am reminded of the line from the television program, “The Six Million Dollar Man,” that says, “We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better…stronger…faster.” That seems to have been the goal spurred on by competition in a global economy. The agriculture industry has not been exempt from this trend.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Chenango County, I saw many changes in the technology and general practices required to operate a successfully dairy. Now, as a hop farmer in this county, I continue to see advances in equipment and methods among the re-burgeoning hops industry in the Northeast. Time stands still for no one, under the pressure to be better…stronger…faster.

But innovation comes with a price, both intellectual and material. I believe there will never cease to be new ideas for better ways to do things – especially in agriculture. Farmers are some of the most creative, yet practical, problem solvers I’ve ever encountered. New ideas build upon the new ideas of the past, a veritable intellectual fountain of youth.