The latest survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program shows an even split when it comes to concerns about top challenges they face today. A total of 21 percent of young farmers surveyed ranked burdensome government regulations and “red tape” as a top concern; an additional 21 percent cited securing adequate land to grow crops and raise livestock as their top challenge today.
“I think one of the biggest challenges for Oregon young farmers and ranchers is staying on top of government regulations,” said Brenda Kirsch, Oregon Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee vice chair, and third-generation grass seed and hazelnut farmer from Marion County. Laws in almost every realm of public policy, from land use to water use to taxes, directly impact ag producers’ ability to farm.
“We need to be more diligent than ever at communicating with lawmakers and the public about the realities of farming, why we do what we do, so we don’t get regulated out of business.”
Other issues ranked in the survey as top concerns included economic challenges, particularly profitability, 11 percent; availability of farm labor and related regulations, 8 percent; and willingness of parents to turn over the reins of the farm or ranch, 7 percent.
“In Oregon, I think the availability of farm labor will be an ongoing concern for young farmers and ranchers,” said Kirsch. “Many of Oregon’s 250 agriculture products are very labor intensive and heavily rely on a strong and consistent workforce.”
When asked to name the top three steps the federal government should take to help young farmers and ranchers, cutting government spending was the number 1 response, with 20 percent listing this as most important. Sixteen percent of those surveyed said the government should provide financial help to beginning farmers, while 12 percent indicated reforming environmental regulations should be first on the list.
The 20th annual YF&R survey revealed that 94 percent of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago. Last year, 87 percent of those surveyed said they were more optimistic about farming than they were five years ago.
“I’m very optimistic about the future of farming,” said Kirsch. “I think that with the growing population, food production is only going to become more and more important. I think the next generation of ag producers are excited for the opportunity to raise safe, healthy food for so many more families around the world, and we are ready to embrace new technology to help us get there.”
The 2012 survey also shows 94 percent of the nation’s young farmers and ranchers say they are better off than they were five years ago. Last year, 90 percent reported being better off.
More than 96 percent considered themselves lifetime farmers, while 98 percent would like to see their children follow in their footsteps. The informal survey reveals that 92 percent believe their children will be able to follow in their footsteps.
The survey shows that America’s young farmers and ranchers are committed environmental stewards, with 61 percent using conservation tillage to protect soil and reduce erosion on their farms.
In addition, computers and the Internet are vital tools for the nation’s young farmers and ranchers, with 93 percent surveyed reporting using a computer in their farming operation. Nearly all of those surveyed, 99 percent, have access to the Internet. High-speed Internet is used by 79 percent of those surveyed, with 20 percent relying on a satellite connection and just over 1 percent turning to dialup.
The popular social media site, Facebook, is used by 79 percent of those surveyed who use the Internet. Kirsch writes a blog about her life as a grass seed and hazelnut grower in the Willamette Valley, Nuttygrass at nuttygrass.com.
The most popular use of the Internet in the survey is to gather news and agricultural information, with 82 percent turning to it for that use.
Finally, the survey points out that 71 percent of YF&R members consider communicating with consumers a formal part of their jobs.
AFBF President Bob Stallman said the annual YF&R survey points out that the future of U.S. agriculture is in good hands.
“Our young farmers and ranchers have the know-how and tenacity to ensure that the best days are ahead for our country and agriculture,” Stallman said. “They are the future of American agriculture.”
The informal survey of young farmers and ranchers, ages 18-35, was conducted at AFBF’s 2012 YF&R Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., in February. The purpose of Farm Bureau’s YF&R program is to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and become future leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.
Brenda Kirsch is a third-generation grass seed and hazelnut grower, serves as vice president of the Oregon Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and writes a blog about her life on the farm at nuttygrass.com.
The state’s largest general farm organization, Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) is a voluntary, grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state’s farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas.
First established in Oregon in 1919, Farm Bureau is organized in all 36 counties and has more than 8,000 member families that are professionally engaged in agriculture. Barry Bushue, an east Multnomah County berry and nursery stock producer, is OFB’s 15th President.
www.oregonfb.org, (503) 399-1701
