How will the graying of the farm population impact the future of agriculture? The shift in age of farm owners and operators was the topic of a recent radio news story from California’s KQED. In the Golden State, nearly 20 percent of farmers are older than 70 years old. Explains Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, owner of Sierra Orchards and president and founder of the Center for Land Based Learning:
It’s a problem. The transition of land that will be occurring in the next decade will be very much a concern to our nation.
McNamara was joined by other California farmers and leaders to discuss ideas for addressing the aging of America’s farmers, including utilizing urban edge agriculture and finding ways to draw younger populations back to rural areas.
