Just as this years Leaving Cert results arrived, the ESRI published a study that examined the post-Leaving Cert experiences of 750 young Irish people. One stark finding is that "almost half expressed regrets about the pathway they had taken. Their regrets reflected difficulties in accessing employment, not having the ‘points’ to obtain their preferred course, and courses not being what they expected."

This backs up the opinions that many young people express to me. "'T’was a waste of four years", said the young receptionist at my vets office about her business degree. I countered with the usual "Ah, but it will stand to you in years to come and didn’t you have a fun four years in college?" She wasn't impressed.

Youth

One of the greatest resources for farm or nation is the hope, vitality, energy and freshness of youth. This report states clearly that at least half have ended up feeling unfulfilled and betrayed by the system we presently put them through. An educational juggernaut has developed that propels young people along a road that is clearly failing many of them and also their high-hopeful parents who foot much of the bill.

And yet I hear nobody suggesting change. Yes, the recently departed Minister for Education claimed to be a reforming minister. However as the ship’s Captain, all he did was move the deck chairs around and annoy the crew, he didn't do anything about altering the bad course that we are on. The Leaving Cert merry go round, the CAO wheel of fortune and the third level "spin the bottle", keep spinning and casting many of our youngsters into places they never wanted to be.

Contrast

In complete contrast, I just read an article by a US lady farmer entitled "Let your Children Grow up to be Farmers". Her first paragraph is worth quoting here in full:

"Let them know what it is like to be free from fluorescent lights and laser pointer meetings. Let them challenge themselves to be forever resourceful and endlessly clever. Let them whistle and sing loud as they like without getting called into an office for "disturbing the workforce." Let them commute down a winding path with birdsong instead of a freeway's constant growl. Let them be bold. Let them be romantic. Let them grow up not having to ask another adult for permission to go to the dentist at 2 p.m. on a Thursday. Let them get dirty. Let them kill animals. Let them cry at the beauty of fallow earth they just signed the deed for. Let them bring animals into this world, and realize they don't care about placenta on their shirt because they no longer care about shirts. Let them wake up during a snowstorm and fight drifts at the barn door instead of traffic. Let them learn what real work is. Let them find happiness in the understanding that success and wealth are not the same thing. Let them skip the fancy wedding. Let them forget four years of unused college. Let them go. Let them go home."

Farmers have real choices that few others have. This is the “Year of the Family Farm” and August is a time when many farming parents and farm children discuss tough decisions about their future, and by consequence- the future of their family farm and their community.

All the forces gather to propel them away from the farm, even the ones who love farming. If just one reader here in this situation can gain the courage to say no to the education machine and instead or as well "let their daughter or son grow up to be a farmer", that could be one more family farm saved for a generation. Lots to think about!

*William Considine farms Nicharee Farm in Duncormick, Co Wexford.