Farm Workforce Is Getting Older in America

By Blake Jackson

In the United States, one-third of farmers are now over 65 years old, with a median age of 58. This makes them the oldest workforce in the country, raising concerns about the future of agriculture. During a U.S. Senate hearing on June 4, experts highlighted the need for planning and support as the nation's farmers age.

Chris Wolf, a professor of agricultural economics at Cornell University, explained that while the data shows aging farmers, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Many commercial farms are multigenerational, with younger family members already helping in management. However, statistics often count only the primary operator, leaving out this detail.

Wolf also pointed out that farming is capital-intensive. It takes years to build up the equipment, land, and experience needed. This makes it harder for young people to enter the field. Many smaller or part-time farms, which are counted in national data, may be operated as hobbies or retirement activities.

The major challenge is helping older farmers transfer their farms to younger generations. This is especially important since 96% of U.S. farms are family-owned. Yet farmers often rely on the farm’s value for retirement, making the process complex.

To support younger farmers, income opportunities and rural services need to improve. Also, young people often lack knowledge on how to run a farm. Wolf suggested that land-grant extension programs can help bridge that gap. Cornell’s NY FarmNet is one example. It offers free advice on both finances and the emotional aspects of farm transitions.

“Land grant programs like FarmNet can provide valuable assistance to help ensure successful farm business transitions in a healthy U.S. agriculture sector,” said Wolf.

Other experts who testified include Zippy Duvall of the American Farm Bureau, Jim Alderman from Florida, and Aaron Locker from a farm executive search firm. Their shared message: America’s farming future depends on smooth generational transitions.

Photo Credit: cornell-university