The Democratic Plan to Support the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders
Agriculture needs more than new farmers; it needs scientists, lenders, teachers, mechanics and community leaders. Democrats describe a plan to build that bench, and critics weigh in on where the money should go.
What does leadership mean in agriculture?
Supporters use the term broadly. It includes the next operator of the family farm, but also the veterinarian, the agronomist, the ag teacher, the cooperative manager, the policy staffer and the county commissioner who understands both crops and budgets.
Careers in agriculture are wide, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational data that shows the range. For young people exploring paths, this ag careers guide is a useful place to start.
What do supporters want?
The common ideas are practical: support for 4-H and FFA, funding for ag education and community colleges, scholarships and loan relief for people who work in rural areas, and mentoring that pairs experienced farmers with newcomers.
They also want policy to reach rural and underrepresented youth who might not see agriculture as a career. Many of these programs already exist, so check current ones through USDA and CSU Extension.
Those programs work best when local farmers, teachers and employers show up to support them.
- Support for 4-H, FFA and ag classes
- Scholarships and loan repayment for rural service
- Mentoring and apprenticeships
- Outreach to young people from non-farm backgrounds
How does this connect to land and credit?
Leadership is hard to develop if a young person cannot afford to stay in agriculture. Land prices and credit rules matter. Programs for new farmers are covered in other pieces here, and FSA loan programs include some options for young borrowers.
Compare terms carefully and ask about total costs. Money basics are covered at a plain farm finance guide.
Scholarship and repayment rules change, so confirm current terms with the sponsoring program.
What do critics argue?
Critics argue that the best way to keep young people in rural areas is a strong economy, not government programs, and that education spending should be left to states and local districts. Some note that many ag graduates leave for jobs elsewhere, and that scholarships do not guarantee they stay.
Supporters respond that targeted incentives such as loan repayment tied to rural service do exactly that. Outcome data would settle some of it, so look for evaluations of existing programs.
Another question is geography: programs that train young people for farm careers do little if the jobs are not nearby.
What does it look like in Colorado?
Colorado has FFA chapters and 4-H clubs in towns across the state, from Pueblo County to the high plains. CSU offers programs, and community colleges offer ag and trades courses. Rural kids who show a steer or a market lamb often learn finance, marketing and public speaking along the way.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture lists state programs, and local fairs are often the first step toward a career. See the fair and rodeo resource for how youth livestock programs work.
What about agricultural policy careers?
Leadership also means people who work on policy: staff for farm organizations, congressional offices, state agencies and cooperatives. Many started with a farm background and an internship. Supporters want more of those positions open to young people from rural areas, who understand the subject firsthand.
If that interests you, read how bills move through the committees, and follow the work of the farm organizations whose priorities you share or dispute.
Cheap practice helps too: market a few dozen eggs, show a project animal, or run the books for a family operation for one season.
What can a young person do now, and where can you read more?
Join a club, find a mentor, take on a small project with a written plan and keep records. Visit an extension office, ask about internships and look at jobs in lending, equipment, processing and research as well as production.
If you are a farmer or rancher, consider mentoring. An hour of your time may change someone's direction.
Keep a simple record of projects, income and expenses from the very start; lenders and scholarship committees notice it. Check scholarship and program details with the sponsoring organization, since deadlines change. Over at farm.FM, the education stories follow young people in agriculture, and the rodeo section covers the arena. See a farm.FM story about young agricultural leaders.
Sources and further reading
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: labor and price data
- USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- CSU Extension: Colorado State extension
- FSA Farm Loans: FSA direct, guaranteed, microloan and emergency loan information
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: state agriculture agency
- Farmers.gov: USDA one-stop site for producers
Ask locally: Ask your county CSU Extension office about 4-H and local FFA contacts, and a community college ag program about courses.