Aging Farm Workforce a Cause for Concern
Zippy Duvall
President
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
photo credit: Getty
Zippy Duvall
President
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall will testify before a Senate committee on a major concern in farm country. Chad Smith has more on solutions to address the increasing age of farmers and ranchers.
Smith: Data shows that American farmers and ranchers are getting older. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is set to discuss this issue, as well as ways to address the problem, with the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Duvall: According to the latest USDA Census of Agriculture, nearly 40% of all farmers are now beyond the retirement age, yet only 8% of farmers are under the age of 35. We should all be concerned about those numbers and the future of our family farms.
Smith: One of the ways Congress can support family farms is by updating the farm bill.
Duvall: Our farmers need a modernized five-year farm bill. Issues like inflation, rising supply costs and overall market volatility have made it harder for our family farms to hold on. This will help families stay in business and pass the farm on to the next generation. The farm bill also provides certainty for new and beginning farmers just starting out.
Smith: Duvall underscores that Farm Bureau recognizes the importance of supporting farmers at all stages of their careers.
Duvall: Our Young Farmers & Ranchers program, our promotion and engagement program and our Women's Leadership Committee gives farmers the tools to advocate for their own success. America has a rich tradition in farming, and we want to ensure that that continues in the next generation and beyond.
Smith: Chad Smith, Washington.
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