The average age of the U.S. farmer is nearly 60 years old, and there is a growing push to get more generations into the industry.
Ag advisors say there a few things first-generation producers need to keep in mind.
Mike Downey with UnCommon Farms says starting a farming business requires strategy, financial planning, and management. Farmers are entrepreneurs, and the business must be set up to succeed, even when the manager is done. Risk management is another key area. Downey says this applies to farm and external threats. With labor costs continuing to rise, he points to thinking outside the box for getting the job done, and thinking of employees as more than just workers.
