WASHINGTON, DC – The average age of the American farmer, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is almost 58 years old. Actually, 92 percent of those listed as primary farm operators are older than 35. Therefore, the industry’s future will rely on the ability of younger and beginning farmers to join the list.
A beginning farmer, according to USDA, is anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years which represents about 27 percent of the operators today. So the question becomes, how can an industry where the cost to compete is so great bring in new entrants with limited financial resources?
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is a part of USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Working Group and believes recommendations from the group (set to be released early in 2022) will go a long way toward developing changes in the next Farm Bill conducive to new producers.
Congress will hold hearings in the new year to begin writing the next Farm Bill, which expires in 2023.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)
