Panelists search for answers to farmer drain

Tom Vilsack. Photo: USDA

ANKENY, IOWA — Anyone who has seen the statistics understands that the future of farming in America is looking on the back-end of middle aged.

The U.S.  Department of Agriculture census indicates the average age of American farmers increased from 50.3 in 1978 to 57.1 in 2007. The majority of farm operators are between ages 45 and 64, but farmers aged 65 and older comprise the fastest growing group of farm operators.

Perhaps the most disturbing statistic is that while the number of farms owned or operated by the oldest of farmers continues to experience growth, the number of farms owned or operated by individuals under the age of 25 continues to decrease.

Stating that such statistics cause him “deep concern,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asked a panelists of farmers at Friday’s DOJ/USDA antitrust workshop to tell him what else needs to be done to ensure the future of rural America.

Three members on the six-person panel pointed directly at farm subsidy payments as a culprit.

“I’m not interested in my tax dollars paying for somebody to farm 10,000 acres,” said Ken Foster, an independent Missouri hog farmer on the panel. “We have to scale this whole thing down where it benefits beginners instead of eating the beginner’s lunch.”

Ken Fawcett, an eastern Iowa crop farmer on the panel, said the payments ought to be tied to the way or process by which farmers produce their products.

Throughout opening statements and discussion, views expressed by the farmer panelists varied greatly.

Pam Johnson, a farmer from Lloyd, advocated that there was room in the future of agriculture for producers of all sizes and styles.

“Farmers are in a daily battle to defend what we do,” she said. “The tone has been very devisive. People are talking about food versus fuel instead of food and fuel.”

Even her call for unity, however, was tempered by comments by Todd Wiley, a Walker pork producer with roughly 1,150 sows.

“I’m not opposed to renewable fuels, but at this time we need to let the ethanol tax credit expire,” said Wiley, who feeds corn to his hogs. “We don’t oppose competing for corn, so long as we can do it on a level playing field.”