YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE: Millennial farmers cultivate ag opportunities Presented by Texas Farm Bureau’s Mike Miesse

Winds of change bring fresh faces and concepts to agriculture. It’s happening now. And will continue.

Because the average age of U.S. farmers and ranchers today is about 58, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). By 2030, more than half a million of the country’s farmers will retire. Leaving big boots to fill.

But a younger generation is stepping up. According to USDA, 257,454 farmers are millennials, and more than 20 percent of all farmers are beginning farmers.

They’re tenacious, but cautious.

They learn from seasoned farmers and ranchers. Apply their classroom education. And adapt new technologies to keep family farms profitable.

But access to land, capital and credit are challenges they encounter.

They’re finding ways to make it work, though, and changing the stereotypes of agriculture along the way.

The future of agriculture needs young farmers and ranchers. And they’ll cultivate a strong legacy, leaving their mark on Texas.

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