Speaker presentations
| Farm Ownership: The Changing of the Guard Roundtable Discussion on Farm Succession |
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About the conference
The age distribution of Iowa farmers has changed dramatically in the past twenty years. There were almost three times as many farmers under age 35 as over age 65 in 1982. By 1997 those numbers had exactly reversed; Iowa is not unique. Other states, in fact other countries, are experiencing the same changes.
Until recently, little research has been conducted on the ways in which farmers, governments and communities are responding to the changes in farming. The impact of the changes and their impact on rural communities is not well understood. Governments are responding with a variety of approaches to help bring another generation into farming.
This one-day roundtable discussion reviewed current and alternative policies that could help beginning farmers as well as retiring farmers in the transition. The discussion involved about 40 people, including researchers, educators, agribusiness professionals and farmers.
Speakers
Current Research on Farm Successions: Andrew Errington, University of Plymouth
Current Public Policy on Farm Successions: Neil Hamilton, Drake Unviersity Law School
Current Economics in Farm Successions: Mike Duffy, Iowa State University
Effects of Farm Successions on Rural Communities: Paul Lasley, Iowa State University
Related news reports
Aging farm population, October 10, Farm News
Down on the Farm No More, October 9, Christian Science Monitor
Face of farming getting wrinkles, October 7, Ames Tribune
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