Could farming be attracting baby boomers?

The number of farmers over 55 has increased while the number of younger farmers has decreased over the past decade, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The trend was only tracked from 2002 to 2007 but "may be an indication that new opportunities are making farming a more attractive profession for retirement-aged baby boomers," Agri-Pulse reports. The number of people 55 or older who had been farming two years or less in 2007 was 9,865, compared to 9,303 in 2002. The number of people age 35 or under farming two years or less decreased over the same period, from 9,199 to 6,900.

Many agriculture officials and politicians say this proves the need for more young farmers. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow said she's concerned about the declining number of young farmers and that young farmer programs, including the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, are very important for recruiting young people to farming. She said she wants to expand on beginning farmer programs included in the Farm Bill. Gary Matteson, vice president for young, beginning and small farmer programs and outreach at the Farm Credit Council, told Agri-Pulse that council members made 65,000 loans to beginning farmers in 2010, so beginners "are out there."

The USDA created a "Farmers by Age" fact sheet based on the 2007 Agriculture Census. Agri-Pulse is available through subscription-only, but provides a four-week free trial here.