October 2019 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Fruit
Support young contributors
When the USDA released earlier this year
the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture,
a count of our nation's farms and ranches and
the people who run them, it provided the first
accounting of the nation's farm population since
2012, providing a new outlook on the future of
U.S. agriculture.
The results should concern us all: the number
of young farmers is not keeping pace with the
number of farmers aging out of the field. The
average age of primary producers increased
from 58.3 in 2012 to 59.4 in 2017. The average
age of all producers also increased from 56.3
to 57.5 years from 2012 to 2017. Although the
number of primary producers under 35 increased by nearly 2,000, primary
producers over 65 now outnumber farmers under 35 by more than 6 (6.41) to
1. Previously a ratio of 5.85 to 1, this widening gap reveals a crisis of attrition in
agriculture as farmers retire without a successor in place.
Enterprising young people face an uphill battle in establishing themselves
in agriculture given prohibitive land prices, student loan debt, lack of skilled
farm labor and limited health care options. Federal farm policy must do more
to address these barriers to entry and support the next generation of farmers
and ranchers. Young farmers rely on funding for key farm bill programs,
and additional data collection efforts on farmland ownership are needed to
inform policy solutions.
Gary Pullano
Managing Editor
Inability to access farmland was the No. 1 challenge reported by participants
in a 2017 National Young Farmer survey. The census data confirm that
across the country we are losing quality farmland at a rapid pace. Land in
farms has decreased by 14,310,081 acres and the total number of farms
has decreased by 67,083 farms. Average farm size increased by seven acres
over the five years since the 2012 Census, highlighting continued consolidation
of farming operations across the sector.
" The latest census results should be seen as a call to action, " said Sophie
Ackoff, vice president of the National Young Farmers Coalition. " The small
uptick in the number of primary producers under 35 is not nearly enough to
replace those aging out and retiring. The U.S. needs more young farmers to
ensure healthy food for our communities and to steward our water, air and
soil resources into the future. "
Unfortunately, the number of Latino and non-white primary producers did
not increase. Ninety-five percent of U.S. primary producers surveyed identified
as white; the number of black, Latino, Asian American and Native American
primary producers all decreased between 2012 and 2017.
On an encouraging note, 41% of farmers in their first 10 years of farming
are women and the total number of female principal operators increased by
nearly 70%.
In this issue, Vegetable Growers News and Fruit Growers News magazines
introduce the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 - a group of
exemplary agriculture professionals nominated by their peers for the
impressive accomplishments of their young careers. The Class of 2019 will be
honored at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Launched last year, the 40 Under 40 Awards represent a broad spectrum of
agriculture industry professionals, from growers and farm market operators,
to Extension agents and industry suppliers. These young professionals are
making substantial strides for their individual businesses and the industry as a
whole.
" Our Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 represents the future
of our industry, and it's clearly in good hands, " said CEO and Publisher Matt
McCallum. " In their young careers, these honorees are already making a
positive impact while also demonstrating exceptional leadership, motivation
and innovation. "
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Michigan lawmakers seek cherry protection
The Michigan House Agriculture
Committee in early September approved
a resolution supporting a petition before
the U.S. International Trade Commission
to protect Michigan's domestic cherry
industry.
Massachusetts cranberries receive new
identifier
An insignia emblem will now distinguish
Massachusetts' locally grown cranberries
and cranberry products.
Video series promotes Washington apples
A new video series from the Washington
Apple Commission shares an inside look
at the Washington apple industry to
educate consumers, international trade and
retailers.
Wine, viticulture center introduced in
Michigan
The new Welch Center for Wine &
Viticulture on the Benton Harbor,
Michigan, Campus of Lake Michigan
College hosted a public grand opening and
dedication ceremony in late August.
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October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2019
