Farmers: Optimistic, But Hedging Their Bets

Despite BSE concerns, cutthroat competition and a host of other challenges, the nation’s young farmers expressed an unprecedented high level of optimism regarding their future in agriculture, though they are concerned about profitability and believe government should do more to help young people starting out in farming.

The 12th annual survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and Ranger Program revealed that 81 percent of the respondents expressed optimism about agriculture than five years ago – up more than 20 points from last year and the highest level of optimism since the survey was begun in 1993.

One other trend: Farmers, in increasing numbers, are going back to school. The USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that farmers are going back to school not only to develop business and technological skills to survive in an increasingly competitive industry but also to hedge their bets in case they can’t make a living in farming.

“Given the financial challenges, and the risks involved (in farming), there's just a lot of parents that want their kids, if they are going to come back, to at least get a college education and training, so that if it doesn't work out on the farm, they've got a backup plan,'' said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union

Posted by Jim Langcuster at March 19, 2004 08:39 AM | TrackBack