Next-Generation Farmers
Life lessons passed down remain a powerful force that can inspire and shape future endeavors, ensuring the values and legacy of agriculture persist through generations to come.
Reflecting on our past, as well as looking forward, it’s crucial to continually embrace life’s lessons with openness and enthusiasm. It’s this mindset that propels us forward, allowing us to contribute positively to our industry and the wider world.
“In today’s economy, the ability to farm often depends on the ability to commute,” says Daniel Munch, economist at American Farm Bureau Federation.
Succession planning can feel overwhelming, but early planning, clear finances and open communication can pave the way for a smooth transition to the next generation.
Little did Sydni Mell know the resilience and courage ingrained in her upbringing on the farm would become vital tools in facing unwelcome adversities that awaited her after high school.
Farm life can help ingrain timeless values into the next generation, as demonstrated by three teenagers who committed to daily duties at the dairy.
For the third consecutive year, the prestigious Milk Business Awards honor exceptional dairy producers who have demonstrated excellence across various aspects of the business. The deadline to apply for the awards is Aug. 1.
Amanda Freund, a Connecticut dairy farmer is headed to “Shark Tank,” where she aims to propel her creation, CowPots, into the mainstream.
This young Kansas dairy farmer’s dual passions for education and agriculture unite to contribute richly to her community and her family’s legacy.
The retail meat industry sold 500 million more packages in 2024 than they did in 2023. Of that 500 million-package growth, 62% was driven by millennials.
Writing and recounting the journeys of dairy farmers from across the nation has been a substantial blessing. These stories are more than just accounts of labor; they are testimonies of passion, ingenuity, and a commitment to a way of life that feeds the nation.
At just 11 years old, Reed Marcum had an idea for a project: Collect toys and give them to children in his community. Eight years later, the toy drive has given away more than 64,000 toys at an annual event people wait in line for hours to attend.
First-generation dairy farmers, Paul Windemuller and family encourage young people who aren’t from farms to get into agriculture.
The key to a successful farm business that makes it to the third, fourth and fifth generation is learning to go from being the star quarterback calling all the shots to being that of a coach or a mentor to the next generation.
Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.
Travel to Carpenter, Wy., and you’ll see two-thirds of the state’s 9,000 dairy cows, who are milked at Burnett Dairy. You’ll also get to see an upcoming second-generation dairy farmer, Reese Burnett.
The 2024 MILK Business Conference award winners have been revealed, and they are set to be honored at the prestigious event on December 10-11 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
Dairy transition planning, or the process of preparing and transferring a dairy farm to a future generation is a process wrought with raw emotions and potential pitfalls.
Gen Z has made their way into the dairy workforce, both on the farm and out in the field.
Today the formula pf passing on the farm requires robust conversation and strategic planning to financially integrate another family member into the business.
Matt Gunderson, vice president of Farmers National Company, says having these advisers will give your plan the sturdiest foundation.
Let’s continue to applaud all the kids who participate in 4-H and FFA and exhibit at the county fair. The lessons they learn are difficult to duplicate anywhere else and the memories will be cherished for a lifetime.
Not everyone knows their life calling from an early age. Not everyone knows that they want to do what dad does for a living. Many have to go through trial and error to figure it all out.
Two young dairy producers from opposite corners of the U.S. share what excites them the most about the future of the industry, what keeps them up at night and what tools and technologies they are leaning into to help propel their dairy operations forward.
Money management is demonstrated from one generation to the next. Open and ongoing communication about the farm’s financial blueprint can help the younger generation to develop a better understanding.
Many avoid planning because discussions can be stressful and emotional. Yet, the sooner conversations and plans start, the smoother the transition can be.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
The good news is there are legal devices to do whatever a farmer wants to do. The key is using the right mechanisms for the relationship piece.
Stephanie Nash is loud and boisterous…or as she likes to call it, very passionate about the dairy industry, as she enjoys servings as a front-line advocator to connect with consumers about where their food comes from.
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.