Opinion: Farming is often about tradition, but helping new farmers find their footing will take intention and sharing - Entrepreneur Generations

Stamm suggests that younger farmers 
need a place at today's table.

In a world full of new looks and new technology, Samantha Stamm for Hoard's Dairyman gives voice to the old souls who love farming and cherish pieces from the past. She considers how the next generation of farmers can begin to fill the boots of today's farmers -- as costs are high and living off of the land can be filled with uncertainties.

"There’s a quiet pride in holding onto something meaningful – whether it’s the well-worn flannel or the values stitched into it," Stamm writes. "I feel that same kind of pride about my agricultural lifestyle, but sometimes, it’s hard not to feel like the odd one out."

Many young people leave their small towns, go to school and don't return. "Many of my peers seem eager to move on to bigger and better things," Stamm explains. "Maybe they don’t see the value in staying, or maybe no one ever took the time to show them what’s worth keeping, or maybe, and more likely, it’s just not feasible for them in that stage of life."

How will the legacy of American farming be shared? "That’s what’s really been on my mind. Our grandparents and mentors carry a lifetime of knowledge but passing it on takes more than just being around – it takes intention," Stamm writes. "If we want the next generation to care, we also must be willing to make room for them, to hand them a post driver and not just a lecture."

As the average age of U.S. farmers continues to climb, who will farm next should be a burning question. "There’s a gap once folks age out of 4-H or FFA but still aren’t yet landowners or legacy holders," Stamm adds. "That 'middle space' – the 20s, 30s, and even 40s – is where the real make-or-break moments happen. It’s when people are trying to find stability, maybe raise a family, lease their first pasture, or buy used equipment. But this age group often gets forgotten when it comes to support systems and resources."

Creating the changes newer farmers need to flourish is a work in progress. "It’s going to take intentional effort – from mentors to make room at the table, and from us middle-grounders to keep showing up, asking questions, and learning where we can," Stamm writes. "Because if we’re lucky, one day we’ll be the ones passing something down and we’ll need someone ready to listen."

Samantha Stamm

Samantha Stamm is the 2025 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She co-owns and manages an Angus seedstock and commercial cow-calf operation with her family in northeast Kentucky. Stamm earned a master's degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor's degree in agribusiness with a dual major in animal science from Morehead State University.

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/FIvNjsb Opinion: Farming is often about tradition, but helping new farmers find their footing will take intention and sharing - Entrepreneur Generations

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