There’s a song from the late, great George Jones that is called, “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?” While it talks about the legends of country music in a long-gone era, it has a resonance that goes way beyond the Grand Ole Opry. It is something that faces every business in every area of the commercial and industrial marketplaces. It is an even more poignant question when it is a family-owned business.
When a generation takes over the family farm from their parents, aunts and uncles, or grandparents, there is a lot to think about. How will you plan for the future? How do you secure the farm’s legacy both financially and agriculturally? How do you modernize the practices and equipment without running it into the ground? But the most important question isn’t necessarily at the beginning or even the middle of the run of your time at the helm. What may be the most important question you face for the continued success of your family farm is who takes over after you?
It isn’t easy for young farmers to get a foothold in the agriculture business. Farmland is a scarce and valuable commodity, whether you are looking to rent or buy. Many farms are perpetually in the family. If there is land available to buy, you could be paying tens of thousands of dollars to purchase it. Securing beginning farmer lending and grants is also tough and competitive. If land is available to rent, you will likely be in a bidding war against well-established producers who are looking to increase their production.
It’s just not an easy game.
I talked with Iowa 3rd District Congressman Zach Nunn during the Iowa State Fair. As a former farm kid who showed sheep here at the fair, he understands the drive that many of these kids already have to be a part of their family legacy. A legacy that is honored every year at the Century and Heritage Farm Awards. When you hear those stories, it gives a kid a sense of pride in what they are a part of. However, for many of these kids, it could just be only a dream.
Nunn talks about the drive young people have and the challenges these kids are going to face when their turn comes to get started in agriculture, even if it is a family legacy.
With land prices being high, competing siblings, or USDA prerequisites, it’s tough for anybody to get a leg up and get a solid start. Nunn says that we need to stop putting so many hurdles in front of young farmers.
As Nunn also explains, when China is buying land, it’s never for the benefit of American farmers. It’s endangering our food and national security.
We’ll hear more from Congressman Zach Nunn in the coming days.
