WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — While the average age of the American farmer remains near 58, new data from ag-tech company Bushel suggests younger producers are beginning to play a larger role in farm decision-making across the country. Company officials say this year’s survey showed a record number of farmers under 50 participating, with a sharp increase in the number of producers between 41 and 50.
“We saw a record year of farmers under the age of 50. And I’ve always positioned this report — and I was leaning to biases to be like, yeah, ours does maybe trend younger than the USDA, because we do probably have a younger farmer set that we’re targeting. But this was like a pretty significant shift where, for the first time, just even looking at the ages between 41 and 50, it doubled in the amount of respondents.”
The company says the increase may reflect a broader generational transition happening across agriculture as more operational and financial responsibilities shift to younger family members.
“I do think that’s reflective of farming. I think a lot of succession is happening. Even if dad is helping out, some of that business-type decision making is maybe turned over more to the son — he’s going to more of those events, things like that — or daughter.”
Bushel says the trend suggests younger producers are becoming increasingly involved in management decisions, technology adoption, and business planning throughout the agricultural sector. The company also noted the shift appears substantial enough to reflect broader changes within the industry, rather than simply a younger survey audience.
