Next Generation Farming
Nearly 300 million acres of U.S. farmland are expected to change hands in the next 20 years. Beyond the transfer of land, and the often-complex succession planning process, investing in the next generation involves the transfer of skills and knowledge. Now’s the time to cultivate multigenerational success through asset, resource and financial stewardship.
Top of the list: Reforming the FSA loan program, regulatory action to disincentivize federal funding for solar panels on productive farmland and expanding permitting of unused or underused federal land for long-term leases.
A sneak peak of Farm Journal’s leading-edge survey insights illustrates strategic solutions that generate renewed confidence, ensuring a promising path forward for the industry.
“In today’s economy, the ability to farm often depends on the ability to commute,” says Daniel Munch, economist at American Farm Bureau Federation.
Little did Sydni Mell know the resilience and courage ingrained in her upbringing on the farm would become vital tools in facing unwelcome adversities that awaited her after high school.
Amanda Freund, a Connecticut dairy farmer is headed to “Shark Tank,” where she aims to propel her creation, CowPots, into the mainstream.
With a college degree under his belt, Aaron Krueger put together a fleet of equipment and returned to his grandfather’s ground to breathe new life into the farm. He’s implemented cover crops and plans to diversify beyond corn, soybeans and cereal rye.
His senior year of high school, Dalton Dilldine’s dad unexpectedly passed away, leaving a limited succession plan and a teenager with a big decision: take over the operation, start his own farm or go to college. He chose all three.
2025 Top Producer Women in Agriculture Award winner Kimberly Ratcliff wanted a life in New York City, but soon found herself pulled back to the family ranch. She left a prestigious career, went back to school and expanded the operation.
At just 11 years old, Reed Marcum had an idea for a project: Collect toys and give them to children in his community. Eight years later, the toy drive has given away more than 64,000 toys at an annual event people wait in line for hours to attend.
Carmi, Ill., farmer Chase Sailer isn’t afraid to do things different. He learns from failures on the farm and is turning to precision tools to drill down decisions to every acre.