Testimony as Prepared for Zippy Duvall to the Senate Special Committee on Aging

Testimony as Prepared for Zippy Duvall

President, American Farm Bureau Federation

To the Senate Special Committee on Aging

June 4, 2025

“The Aging Farm Workforce:

America’s Vanishing Family Farms”

Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.

I am Zippy Duvall, a 3^rd generation Georgia farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, representing farm families in all fifty states and Puerto Rico.

I am fortunate to follow in my father and grandfather’s footsteps on our family farm. Today, my son and I operate a beef cow herd, raise broiler chickens, and have restored the land that has been in our family for over 90 years.

As I travel to farms across this country, I see a lot of gray hair, and while the wisdom of older generations is critical, we must ensure that we are making the way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots.

As this committee has identified, there are many challenges facing the agriculture community, but there are also opportunities for Congress to support young and beginning farmers, including with a new farm bill.

Farm Economy and Farm Bill Reauthorization

As I shared with the Senate Agriculture Committee earlier this year, we need a modernized, five-year farm bill.

Farmers and ranchers have faced unprecedented volatility since the 2018 farm bill, making it harder for many to hold on. The 2022 census showed the loss of just over 141,000 farms in 5 years … that’s an average of 77 per day.

With rising interest rates, higher energy prices, and supply costs that have gone unchecked, farmers will plant one of the most expensive crops ever.

And many will face the tough decision of whether to plant at all.

This is why the farm bill’s Title I safety net is critical.

Despite sky-rocketing costs, 2024 payments to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982.

Access to Credit

Additionally, farm debt is expected to increase in 2025 to more than $560 billion.

Our members support streamlining farm loan programs to meet the evolving needs of farmers and ranchers, and to make agriculture more accessible for young and beginning farmers.

We commend Secretary Rollins for establishing a Small Family Farms Policy Agenda. It highlights the need to reform loan programs to streamline delivery and increase program efficiencies.

2025 Tax Legislation

Adding to the uncertainty that farmers, ranchers and many other small businesses are facing is the possibility of the largest tax increase in American history.

One provision that is crucial for keeping family farms going to the next generation is the increased estate tax exemption. If the exemption level reverts, many families risk losing their farms.

Farm Bureau was pleased to see the progress made with the House passage of the reconciliation package, and we urge the Senate to join in ensuring America’s farms and ranches can continue to provide the food, fuel, and fiber our country needs.

Farm Labor

Of course, we cannot paint the full picture on this issue without talking about our employees.

For many of us, they are like family, and they are aging right along with us. That’s a problem because most Americans are not interested in working on a farm, despite big investments in recruitment.

Congress needs to recognize farmworkers as essential to feeding and fueling our country. It’s time to modernize our outdated system, and only Congress can meaningfully do that.

A country that cannot feed its people is not secure. In order to meet the growing demand for food, fiber and renewable fuel at home and abroad, we must ensure the continued strength of our farming and ranching communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today’s hearing. I look forward to working with you to support the next generation of farmers, and I am happy to answer any questions the committee may have.

Click here to watch the hearing Wednesday, June 4 at 4:15pm ET.