I'm not a hippy, a hipster, a vegan, a "local-vore," etc. But I came across this article shortly after starting this thread, and I find the subject super interesting as well as pertinent to the discussion. These young people are doing something they're passionate about, and at least some of them gave up "conventional" careers - and assuredly larger incomes - to do so.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/us/06farmers.html