I was looking over the 2002 US Agriculture Census last night (I couldn’t sleep), and couldn’t help but notice an alarming set of statistics about the average age of farmers in this country. We all know that fewer young people are choosing to go into farming these days, but I was still shocked when I read the following.

2002 US Agriculture Census

Total # of Farms- roughly 1.25 million.

Average age of “Principle Operators”:

Under 25: less than 1%
25-34: 5%
35-44: 15%
45-54: 23%
55-64: 23%
Over 65: 33%

I see this as both a very sad development and a great opportunity to change the way we farm and the way we eat.