Next-Generation Farmers
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.
There are challenges that come with the process, but also hidden opportunities that can help the rising generation build for the future.
Rebecca Sip shares about the challenges she’s faced navigating a gradual generational transition of their family farm, the importance of continual learning and the role of humility each and every day.
Lance Sommers has transformed his family’s 2,000-acre grain and dairy farm by integrating technology and boosting efficiency to free up time to refocus efforts on other aspects of their operation.
Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.
Bri Osborne returned in 2019 to help her father manage their family farm, overseeing 1,000 acres and 7,000 hogs while expanding their dragline manure and spray drone businesses.
Since Lance Dobson’s return to the family farm, he’s added cattle, cereal rye for forage and a seed dealership. “Whether it’s exercising or farming, hopefully diversification in our day will yield results that improve our longevity,” he says.