this is the Agriculture Report.The United States is one of the world'sleading agricultural powers,but few Americans are farmers.One recent study showed just two percentof the population with the job in agriculture.Yet, small farms seem to be appearing in many areasto meet a growing demand for locally produced food.The people operating these farms often have littleor no experience in farming.Mark Mills once worked as a pastry chef.He decided to leave his secure job and turn to farming.He says his decision was based on two things- a strong interest in agricultureand his ignorance about what it takes to be a farmer.Mark Mills was a history major in college,all he knows about producing foodcomes from growing plants in his home gardenand 26 years of working in restaurants.So why did he become a farmer?"Well, it's beautiful.Why wouldn't you want to come to work here?But really, it's my love of food," Mills said.In recent years,many Americans have developed a tastefor fresh locally grown foods and vegetables.The number of farmers' markets has increasedover 50 percent in the past ten years.Federal, state and local governmentsbelieve now is the time to create jobs and new businesses.Mark Mills was one of four people acceptedin the New Farmer Pilot Projectin Montgomery County, Maryland.Sarah Miller works with the localDepartment of Economic Development.She says the program has worked betterthan many people expected."Boy, we didn't even know how many we would get.We thought maybe one or two would be great,but I don't think that we expected four," Miller said.The project provides the new farmerswith specialised business training,like marketing and business planning."They provided the connection with the landowner,so I could actually have the land to farm on, which is key.Then, certainly, they provided the financingfor the deer fence and the irrigation,some basic things to get going," Mills said.The program links the new farmer with an experienced one.For Mark Mills, that person is Woody Woodroof,he works at the Red Wiggler Farm in Maryland."The big thing to work with him on now is season extension,helping him to do the things that will allow himto harvest crops deeper into the falland early winter," Woodroof said.Mr Mills' first year in farming was successful.He produced about 450 kilograms of turnips,90 kilograms of carrots,and 130 kilograms of green leafy vegetables.The hardest part was not growing the crops, he says.The problem has been selling them.Mr Mills says, his farm probably lost more money than it earned.Luckily, his wife has a non-farm job,and can provide financial support, at least for now.Experts say many new farmers need to support themselveswith another source of income.And that's the VOA Learning English Agriculture Report.更多听力请访问51voa.com