Following a new farm family

Agriculture and farm culture are rarely presented in national media, partly because those media are based so far away from farm country. Part of what I'm keeping my eye out for is compelling journalism about agricultural America.

This on-going project from the Omaha World-Herald follows Brian and Kelly Smith, a "quirky, earth-conscious 30-something couple" transitioning from backyard gardening to all-out farming.

they’ve moved their family — three boys 9 or younger, a dog and two cats — from a house in Benson to a rented farm on the metro area’s northwestern edge.
They call it Black Sheep Farms — a nod to the alternative path they have chosen and the chemical-free produce they’re trying to grow with help from investors who will share the work and the harvest in what’s known as a CSA (community supported agriculture) venture.

The paper will track the family's progress, even as the family does on its own CSA blog.

It's a great idea for a newspaper story, with obvious on-line tie-ins like a great slideshow. I'm curious to see what elements of this family's major transition the writers highlight over the life of the project. Starting a successful CSA business is hard work. So is home schooling 3 kids. Weather, economics, climate, community and family will all become part of this story.