The seventh annual survey of participants in AFBF's Young Farmers and Ranchers Program revealed the traditional optimism of younger producers has been tempered somewhat by current economic challenges. Results of the informal survey show, however, the future of American agriculture is in competent and caring hands. Over the survey's seven-year history, profitability has topped the list of concerns four times and regulations three times. The fourth largest challenge this year was urban encroachment on farmland, selected by 11.7 percent of the respondents. And 91.6 percent said they would like to see their children follow in their footsteps, compared to last year's 93.3 percent.
Exports are important The young farmers view international trade as vital to their operations.
When asked to select the most important step the government could take to help them and their farms, for the second year in a row respondents said government should do more to boost U.S. agricultural exports. When asked their opinion regarding federal support for agriculture once the current farm program expires, the young farmers were evenly split. That represents a turnabout from last year, when 66.8 percent said they preferred the marketplace only, and from two years ago, when that percentage was 71.7. Mirroring past surveys, this year's respondents reported a strong commitment to conservation and the use of environmentally beneficial farming practices. Approximately 95 percent of the young farmers surveyed said they select farming practices based on both the environment and economics.