AGRICULTURAL ALCHEMY
FARMER PIPELINE
Farmers are getting older—but young farmer interest is on the rise.
As many in the industry may have guessed, the average age of producers crept up to just over 58 years old. This number has incrementally increased since 2002. But when diving a little deeper, you will find that the number of young farmers has been steadily increasing as well.
DISTRIBUTION OF U.S. PRODUCERS BY AGE
2012 Census
(percentage distribution)
FARMERS UNDER 35
0%
FARMERS 35-64
0%
FARMERS 65 OR OLDER
0%
2017 Census
(percentage distribution)
FARMERS UNDER 35
0%
FARMERS 35-64
0%
FARMERS 65 OR OLDER
0%
2022 Census
(percentage distribution)
FARMERS UNDER 35
0%
FARMERS 35-64
0%
FARMERS 65 OR OLDER
0%
Source: USDA
Although the number of retiring farmers currently outweighs the number of farmers filling their shoes, record-high student memberships in organizations like Future Farmers of America (FFA) is giving industry stakeholders hope. To build on this momentum, it is essential we address the roadblocks standing in the way of young farmers.
