Farmers are also aging and more dependent on off-farm income. In 1969, Georgia farmers averaged 52.2 years of age. By 1997, the average age was up to 55.9 years of age. In 1969, 9.7 percent of the state's farmers accounted for 60 percent of the total farm sales. In 1997, 6.7 percent of the state's farmers accounted for 70 percent of total farm sales.
Farms are, indeed, getting larger in order to compete.
But higher investment often means more risk to the individual farmers. Also, farmers are victims of their own efficiencies. Freedom to Farm The Freedom to Farm Bill has, indeed, had a pronounced effect on farms nationwide. While this legislation was designed to remove government from helping dictate production and commodity prices, it has not proven to be successful, particularly during these times we are in today. The reality is that a free market has turned into a rather brutal affair.