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  • Written by David R. Buys, Associate Professor of Health, Mississippi State University
America's farmers are getting older, and young people aren't rushing to join them
CC BY-ND[1] On Oct. 12, National Farmers’ Day, Americans honor the hardworking people who keep the world fed and clothed. But the farming labor force has a problem: It’s aging rapidly. The average American farmer is 57 and a half years old[2], according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s up sharply from 1978, when the figure was just a smidge over 50[3]. As researchers[4] who study well-being[5] in rural areas[6], we wanted to understand this trend and its implications. So we dug into the data[7]. Amber waves of graying We found that the average age of farmers was fairly consistent across the country, even though the general population’s age[8] varies quite a bit from place to place. For example, the average Maine farmer[9] is just a few months older than the average farmer in Utah[10], even though the average Maine resident is more than a decade older[11] than the average Utahn. To be fair, we did find some local differences. For example, in New York County – better known as Manhattan – the average farmer is just north of 31. Next door in Hudson County, New Jersey, the average farmer is more than 72. On the whole, though, America’s farming workforce is getting older. If the country doesn’t recruit new farmers or adapt to having fewer, older ones, it could put the nation’s food supply at risk. Before panicking, though, it’s worth asking: Why is this happening? A tough field to break into To start, there are real barriers to entry[12] for young people – at least those who weren’t born into multigenerational farming families. It takes money to buy the land, equipment and other stuff you need to run a farm, and younger people have less wealth[13] than older ones. Young people born into family farms may have fewer opportunities to take them over due to consolidation in agriculture[14]. And those who do have the chance may not seize it, since they often report that rural life is more challenging[15] than living in a city or suburb. The overall stress of the agriculture industry[16] is also a concern: Farmers are often at the mercy of weather, supply shortages, volatile markets and other factors entirely out of their control. The ups and downs of farm life take center stage in “On the Farm,” a docuseries produced by Mississippi State University.In addition to understanding why fewer younger people want to go into agriculture, it’s important to consider aging farmers’ needs. Without younger people to leave the work to, farmers are left with intense labor — physically and mentally – to accomplish, on top of the ordinary challenges of aging[17]. In other words, the U.S. needs to increase opportunities for younger farmers while also supporting farmers as they age. Opportunities to help The USDA already has programs[18] to aid new farmers[19], as well as farmers of color and female farmers[20], and those who operate small farms[21]. Expanding these programs’ reach and impact could help bring new talent into the field. Congress could do just that when it reauthorizes the farm bill[22] – a package of laws covering a wide range of food – and agriculture-related programs that get passed roughly every five years. The farm bill also includes nutrition aid[23] and funds telehealth[24] and training and educational outreach for farmers[25], all of which could help meet the needs of young and aging farmers alike. Notably, the Cooperative Extension Service[26] offers programs that range from 4-H[27] and youth development, including introduction to agriculture, to providing on-site technical help. Congress was supposed to reauthorize the farm bill by Sept. 30, 2023, but it missed that deadline[28]. It now faces a new deadline of Dec. 31, but due to dysfunction in the House of Representatives[29], many expect the process to drag on into 2024. Also in 2024, the USDA will release its next Census of Agriculture[30], giving researchers new insight into America’s farming workforce. We expect it will show that the average age of U.S. farmers has reached a new all-time high. If you believe otherwise – well, we wouldn’t bet the farm. References^ CC BY-ND (creativecommons.org)^ average American farmer is 57 and a half years old (www.nass.usda.gov)^ just a smidge over 50 (agcensus.library.cornell.edu)^ As researchers (scholar.google.com)^ who study well-being (www.humansci.msstate.edu)^ in rural areas (www.agecon.msstate.edu)^ dug into the data (doi.org)^ general population’s age (www.census.gov)^ average Maine farmer (www.nass.usda.gov)^ average farmer in Utah (www.nass.usda.gov)^ more than a decade older (www.census.gov)^ real barriers to entry (www.youngfarmers.org)^ less wealth (www.federalreserve.gov)^ consolidation in agriculture (www.ers.usda.gov)^ rural life is more challenging (www.onthefarm.life)^ overall stress of the agriculture industry (www.choicesmagazine.org)^ challenges of aging (theconversation.com)^ already has programs (www.usda.gov)^ aid new farmers (www.farmers.gov)^ farmers of color and female farmers (www.fsa.usda.gov)^ operate small farms (www.farmers.gov)^ reauthorizes the farm bill (theconversation.com)^ nutrition aid (www.fns.usda.gov)^ telehealth (www.ers.usda.gov)^ training and educational outreach for farmers (www.nifa.usda.gov)^ Cooperative Extension Service (www.nifa.usda.gov)^ 4-H (4-h.org)^ missed that deadline (modernfarmer.com)^ dysfunction in the House of Representatives (theconversation.com)^ Census of Agriculture (www.nass.usda.gov)Authors: David R. Buys, Associate Professor of Health, Mississippi State University

Read more https://theconversation.com/americas-farmers-are-getting-older-and-young-people-arent-rushing-to-join-them-211330

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