issues
Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers July 9, 2007 Michael Duffy Director, Iowa State Beginning Farmer Center Access to Land Resource: Access to Land Resource Increasing land values limit ability to purchase Access to Land Resource: Access to Land Resource Increasing land values limit ability to purchase Increasing rents and changing rent options limit ability to access land Access to Land Resource: Access to Land Resource Increasing land values limit ability to purchase Increasing rents and changing rent options limit ability to access land Competition for land as existing farmers try to expand Existing Farm Transition Possibilities: Existing Farm Transition Possibilities Changing demographics of farmland owners Existing Farm Transition Possibilities: Existing Farm Transition Possibilities Changing demographics of farmland owners Retiring farmers planning or lack of planning Farm Technology: Farm Technology Tight margin farming that requires a large volume to generate an adequate income Preferential pricing for large volumes of commodities Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Issues Facing Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Lack of supplemental employment opportunities Difficulties transitioning farm from one generation to the next Lack of qualified help in formulating exit strategies Unwilling to give up managerial responsibility and unwilling to transfer ownership of assets. Income Opportunities: Income Opportunities Slow food/local food movements are opening options and alternatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Farmer’s markets are providing new outlets and the opportunity to sell a story Food safety concerns Internet opening many new avenues Alternative production and crops - insurance - risk Final Thoughts: Final Thoughts There are some significant issues facing beginning farmers and ranchers over the next few years. Some of these are structural and some are related to the current situation Beginning farmers and ranchers face a different situation than in the past but this adds a lot of options. Credit will be helpful but it will not guarantee success. The beginning farmer and rancher will have to work based on their goals and the resources available.