The average age of the American worker was 41.6 in 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the average age of the American farmer was 58.1 according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. A “young” farmer is defined as someone under 35. Engaging the next generation of farmers is crucial.

Rural prosperity depends on a thriving agricultural sector, which depends on new farmers entering the industry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 97 percent of the country is rural. Sixty million people, about 1 in 5 people, live in rural America. Though a mere one half of one percent are directly engaged in production agriculture, agriculture is one of our country’s strongest economic engine. The prosperity of 97 percent of the country affects everyone. New farmers contribute to rural economies by creating jobs, supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. Engaging them can revitalize communities and keep rural areas vibrant.

Food security is in the hands of farmers. The global population continues to grow — the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations projects that the planet’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050, with many people living in largely urban areas. Ensuring a steady and sustainable food supply at home and abroad only becomes more important as time goes by. Young farmers bring fresh ideas and innovative practices that can enhance productivity, sustainability and resilience in food systems.

The cultural fabric of rural America is interwoven with agriculture. For individuals like me who come from a farm, the farm becomes one of the most important parts of our identity. The FFA creed speaks to this- “I believe to live and work on a good farm, or be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant, as well as challenging, for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life, and hold an inborn fondness for those associations, which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.” Many young people we work with from agricultural backgrounds have this experience and feel a strong pull to stay engaged in agriculture, much as an expression of their identity.

Investments in the next generation of farmers is an investment in rural prosperity, food security and the social fabric of rural America. A resilient, innovative and sustainable agricultural sector meets the challenges of the future.

To read the full interview with Authority Magazine, visit https://medium.com/authority-magazine/ashley-mccarty-from-missouri-farmers-care-on-how-we-can-engage-and-recruit-the-next-generation-of-f0225d262519.