The 2023 Free State Young Farmer of the Year, Lukas Lessing, believes that more young people need to get into farming in the name of food security and continue generational, farming legacies.
Lessing, who is from the farming town of Marguard, was announced as the twenty-seventh winner of the competition during the Free State Agriculture (FSA) Congress. He competed against Hennie Geldenhuys from Excelsior and Hansie Müller from Viljoenskroon for the title.
As a young farmer, he understands that young farmers have much to face in the agricultural sector. “The young farmer today has a great weight on his shoulder,” he said. “Traditionally in South Africa, it was difficult for young farmers to come in and take over from their parents or whoever.”
Lessing started farming at a young age and dedicates the award to his family who involved him in the family farm. This, he believes, groomed and sharpened his skills in operations.
He said he understands that it is difficult for young farmers to take over family businesses but explained that there should be as little growing pains as possible when young people take over. He hopes to be an example to other young farmers and farming enterprises.
Giving our all despite challenges
Lessing is currently the general manager of the family farm. He mainly operates crop farming with maize, soya, and sunflower – their biggest income generators. He also breeds livestock such as cattle and sheep.
“Here in the eastern Free State, one must have a mixed farming operation to make it work. Our farms do not allow crop farming or livestock farming only. The two complement each other nicely,” Lessing explained.
Like many other farmers in the Free State, Lessing said road infrastructure remained the biggest challenge and threat to farming operations.
“The roads are constantly bad. If we don’t scrape it ourselves then unfortunately it just doesn’t happen,” he said.
Positive energy is key
When asked what his best quality is, Lessing answered positivity. “If I am in a negative situation, or among negative people, I look for the positive in it and deal with the negative. I don’t like being negative at all and I feel there is always a plan to make.”
Lessing added that the emotional and financial well-being of his workers is of paramount importance and therefore workers at his farm are encouraged to contribute to the farming operations meaningfully as it benefits them as well.
Prof Pieter Fourie, the convener of the judging panel and head of the department of agriculture at the Central University of Technology (CUT), said the three candidates were excellent and left the judges scratching their heads.
“These are really three excellent young farmers. In addition to the fact that their separate farms are handled professionally, they are also each an asset to their respective communities,” he said.
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