Aging Farmers

Who do you think of when I say the word, “farmer?” For many of us who grew up in this country, an image not unlike that of Old McDonald comes to mind- white, male, and middle-aged. In the United States, this stereotypical image is not unfounded. The average farm operator is 57 years old, 83% of them are white, and 86% of them are male. According to the USDA, the population of non-white farmers and female farmers is growing, but the farmers are aging. The proportion of farm operators over 75 years old increased by 20% from 2002 to 2007 and the proportion of farm operators under the age of 25 years old decreased by 30% in that same time period.

Should we be worried about this aging population? Children of farmer’s are moving to the city rather than choosing to farm. Who will be left to farm our native soil? Though the census shows young farmers decreasing in number, there are a number of new farmers entering the scene who are making quite a splash. At least once a week, I find myself reading a new article about an innovative agricultural project in a school garden, on an urban roof tops, or on traditional farmland run by young people. More often than not, these farmers are committed to sustainable agriculture, healthy food, and food justice.

However, if you haven’t been born into the farming industry, there can be many barriers to entry. Land is expensive, many farmers require second jobs to pay the bills, and there’s a lot to learn in order to be a successful farmer. The USDA has recognized these challenges and is addressing them in various ways. More farmer loans issued by the Farm Service Agency are targeted toward beginning farmers. They have also made available $17 million in new grants through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program for state and local governments, non-profits, and academic institutions to design education, training, technical assistance and outreach programs to help beginning farmers. In addition, networks such as Greenhorns and the National Young Farmer’s Coalition offer support systems for beginning farmers. There’s even a conference for Young Farmers put on by the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture each year.

Locally there are opportunities sprouting up for young people that make farming into a viable job and even career. The Food Project has farms throughout Eastern Massachusetts where youth learn about sustainable farming, food justice, and are given experience working in the many aspects of our food system. Here in Lowell, the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) has an organic farm site with NESFP where teens can learn, work, and make money. There are also farm training programs like the Farm School where new farmers live and work for an entire year on a farm learning the complete ins and outs of living off the land and managing a farm. In addition, they have programs for school groups in order to expose youth to working with and for the land.

So should we be worried that our farmer’s are getting older? Perhaps. After all, these are the people that grow our food. However, it seems that with the right support, a new generation of farmers can emerge that is hard working, committed to sustainable farming, and makes healthy food available to more people.