CHENANGO COUNTY – As the median age of New York farmers continues to climb, state legislators are touting new proposals that address the lack of young people going into the farming business.
Last week, NY Senator James Seward, R-Oneonta, along with other members of the New York State Senate, unveiled the $30 million “Young Farmers NY” plan to address the aging population of farmers and to entice young people to enter the agriculture industry.
Young Farmers NY is in response to recent findings from the United Stated Department of Agriculture. According to the USDA, the average age of farmers now stands at 57 years. That figure has increased steadily since the 2002 USDA Census, when average age of farmers was 55. What’s more, the USDA says for every farmer under the age 35, there are two farmers aged 65 and older.
This continuing trend raises serious concerns for the future of the nation’s food supply, Senator Seward stated in a media release.
“New high tech industries emerge every day, but agriculture persists as New York's economic, social, and environmental binding force,” Seward said. “Helping our next generation of farmers contend with industry-specific hurdles – education, property taxes, and equipment costs – will boost our state's economy and sow the seeds for future growth of our number one industry.”
Among proposed incentives for young farmers is a state tax credit that provides farmers up to 10 percent of the sale or rental price of land or equipment. Also, a young farmer revolving loan fund will provide $5 million for start-up loans in the state; a young farmer innovation grant will allocate up to $50,000 to new farmers through a competitive grant program that encourages technology and innovation; creation of tax free farm savings accounts – similar to college savings accounts – will allow farmers to save for business expenses; and estate tax reform will increase the estate tax exemption.
Further education incentives provide a total $758,000 for ag education statewide, including $500,000 for BOCES to create young farmer apprenticeship programs; $100,000 for the NY Board of Regents to create a young farmer student loan forgiveness program; and $158,000 for continuation of in-school education programs such as Future Farmers of America (FFA).
While the Young Farmers plan has a long road ahead in both the NY Senate and Assembly, efforts to incentivize young people to enter farming are a top priority for many state and local law makers as hundreds of farmers near or pass retirement age.
“If more young people aren't interested in farming, it's going to be a problem,” said Sherburne Supervisor Charles Mastro.
Mastro, a 52-year-old farmer, has a son who chose not to take over the family business. As he approaches retirement age, selling his farm in the future seems increasingly likely, he said. He added that any incentive to bolster the number of young farmers in New York State may be a necessary measure, even at the cost of taxpayer dollars.
“It's a scary time,” Mastro continued, also noting that young people who do start a farming business often grow up on family-owned farms. “It's going to take a special kid to get into farming. It's a lot of work and there has to be a lot of willingness for kids to want to get into it.”
Likewise, Chenango County 4-h Coordinator Janet Pfromm said although details of the Young Farmers NY plan have yet to be made available, efforts to draw young people to the ag industry are welcome with open arms.
“We desperately need young farmers but farming is extremely capital intense,” explained Pfromm. “So for a young person to get involved in any agriculture enterprise, it will be financially draining for them.”
Pfromm said young farmers typically face financial barriers that might prevent them from growing a successful agriculture enterprise. Start-up business loans are difficult to secure, and the skyrocketing costs of animal feed and fuel frequently cripple inexperienced farmers just starting out.
“People might see gross farm income with five or six digits,” she said. “But when it comes to net income, most farmers could be at or below the poverty level.”
While 4-h is not exclusively ag-centric, 80 percent of the youth programs offered through 4-h are focused on agriculture. According to Pfromm, an education component and start-up incentives are key in growing the number of young farmers across the state.
“I think people have gotten away from knowing where their food comes from and how much depends on supporting that food source … If a young person has an interest in agriculture, we should find every way to encourage them.”