The number of beginning farmers – those in agriculture for less than 10 years – is down by 20 percent in the new Census of Agriculture. Nine states had more beginning farmers in 2012 than in 2007 while the rest showed a decline, says the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in a blog. It says there are more farmers over age 75 than between 35 and 45 years old and concludes there is a “‘lost generation’ of farmers under the age of 45 who have chosen to pursue a career other than agriculture.”
The states with an increase are Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Nebraska, Utah, Nevada and Alaska. The economic recession and recent droughts may be factors in the overall decline, says NSAC. “It is clear that more needs to be done to grow the next generation of producers,” it says, calling for “a greater investment and a more coordinated, national strategy (to) ensure the next generation of farmers have the opportunity to successful pursue a career in agriculture.”