My sister and I are sixth-generation Pines farming in Douglas County. Like those generations before us, we feel fortunate to farm — and to farm in Lawrence.

Farming in eastern Kansas, specifically Douglas County, provides opportunities as well as challenges. We have a strong agribusiness community made up of hard-working people who care about our industry and our community. Douglas County Extension, Douglas County Farm Bureau, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Network Committee and others provide support and guidance for our local industry.

Being situated in a populated area provides opportunities to grow crops that can be sold directly to the end user. Because of the population in the area, our land is generally worth more than typical agriculture values. Row crop farmers can market their grain direct to terminals in Topeka, Kansas City, Mo., Emporia and St. Joseph, Mo., which means they have a chance of getting a better price per bushel. Obviously, we have many opportunities.

Unfortunately, our challenges seem to equal or exceed our opportunities. One of the biggest challenges agriculture faces in Douglas County is most of our population has little understanding of production agriculture. I commend those who want to help. Sadly, those who want to help don’t ask how they can or assume they already know how to help.

Some suggestions are “preserving” the family farm by having the city or county buy conservation easements to limit land usage; suggesting that “sustainable agriculture” (organic or truck farming) is the fix-all for everyone farming in Douglas County; or virtually halting the city’s growth, so as not to develop “prime” farm ground.

It’s not a matter of whether these are good or bad suggestions. The point is that they don’t address the core issue. Decisions are made, policies adopted and rules implemented with little, if any, understanding of the effects they will have on the agriculture industry.

If all of the time, money and efforts that are currently being dedicated toward “helping” the farmer were used to make farming more profitable, the farmers would take care of preserving our land and our industry. Farmers need help getting affordable housing in Douglas County, so our employees can stop commuting from outside our county, and attracting industries to our community that we can partner with to grow specific products for.

Finally, keep in mind, farming is not only a way of life, but it is also an economic contributor to our county.

– Brian Pine, of Pine Family Farms, is chairman of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness Network.