October 2020 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
A reason for optimism
One-third of America's 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65, long
regarded as retirement age, and nearly a million more of them were within
a decade of that milestone, according to USDA data released in 2017. For
decades, the aging U.S. farmer has been a cause for concern, and a career in
the field (literally) remains a tough sell.
In 2017, the total number of farm
producers in the U.S. numbered 3,399,834,
with an average age of 57.5 years, up from an
average age of 56.3 in 2012.
For four decades, the average age of
farmers has been on the rise. It was 50.3
years for the " principal operator " in the
1978 census, 53.3 years in 1992, 57.1 years
in 2007, 58.3 years in 2012, and now is 59.4
years. By contrast, the average age of new
and beginning farmers is 46.3 years, the 2017
census reported. Young producers - age 35 or
younger - account for 9% of farmers.
The USDA's latest Census of Agriculture released figures representing a new
subgrouping - Young Producers - defined as those operators under 35. The
321,261 young producers in sum operated 240,121 total farms composed of
114,588,706 acres. Young producers with a farm exceeding 500 acres numbered
39,792, with the median coming in at 10-49 acres numbering 67,163.
The younger farmers contained 38,319 tenets as opposed to 129,207 full
owners and 72,595 part-owners, with 77,044 operating a farm grossing more
than $50,000 annually. Beef cattle producers numbered 77,824 of this group,
accounting for the largest segment, with " Other Crop Farming " coming in next
with 35,052.
Gary Pullano
Managing Editor
Some 27% of farmers were categorized as new and beginning producers,
with 10 years or less of experience in agriculture.
We have a good reason to be optimistic. That reality is on display in this issue
of Vegetable Growers News.
Vegetable Growers News and Fruit Growers News are presenting a new
group of industry leaders with our annual 40 Under 40 Awards. This impressive
class has made countless contributions to the agriculture industry. These
outstanding individuals represent the best of the agriculture community. From
growers to farm marketers to researchers, educators and company executives,
we should all join in paying homage to those demonstrating strong leadership
qualities, innovative thinking and commitment to industry advancement.
These 40 new awardees join 80 proud alumni of the Fruit + Vegetable
40 Under 40 Awards. Read their biographies included in this issue with eyes
focused on the compassion and energy they display as a cross-section of a
generation in pursuit of their dreams.
This year's class represents a period of time that will be remembered like no
other. The impact of a global pandemic on all aspects of life - including how
we make a living - will be at the forefront of our memories of these days as we
reflect on them for years to come.
These young men and women who are securing their places in a
tumultuous specialty crop environment, wrought with a myriad of obstacles
that appear never-ending, will lead the way forward with valuable
knowledge and courage as we continue to grapple with the industry's crucial
role in feeding the world.
Dynamic trendsetters one and all, this special Class of 2020 brings forth a
wealth of optimism, determination and grit that will serve them well as they
continue to emerge as creative leaders and innovators.
The Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2020 will be honored at the
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO. As is the case with most
public celebrations and activities this year, the ceremony will be presented in
a revised format. The live virtual event will be " staged " online on Tuesday,
Dec. 8, as part of the EXPO. Plan on " tuning in " with us to celebrate our
hopeful future.
And kudos to all!
Vegetable
Growers
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New innovation center in northern
California opened by Valent USA
Valent U.S.A. has opened a new state-ofthe-art
facility in San Ramon, California,
called the North American Innovation
Center, that physically unites employees
from its California technical center in
Dublin and headquarters in Walnut Creek.
Ernest L. Bergman, Penn State emeritus
professor, dies in Pennsylvania
Ernest L. Bergman of State College,
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Vegetable
Growers Association life member and
Penn State University Professor Emeritus
of Plant Nutrition, died Aug. 15.
Expanded production of UF/IFAS-bred
strawberries sought internationally
University of Florida Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences -bred strawberries
are grown in over 70 countries across
six continents. One of those countries,
Egypt, ranks among the top strawberryproducing
nations in the world.
Pairwise's leafy greens move closer to
market
Pairwise has developed new varieties
of Brassica juncea, a leafy green that is
part of the same family of vegetables as
Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale.
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THEY SAID IT
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P. 8
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Farmers are using cover crops for a variety of reasons
and many have tried new approaches to cover cropping. "
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October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2020
