Thursday, April 06, 2023
We can’t discuss profitable agricultural stewardship without looking at the sad reminder of what happens when profitability isn’t a priority. We can look to legal troubles, inheritance tax, changing climate, droughts, loans and liens, the Three D’s of farm failure: debt, divorce, and death. Any one of these could have been the cause of a single farm going under, but to understand the trend across the country we’ve got to look at all of them.
If you’ve ever driven down a rural county road you’ve experienced an “unsettling” phenomenon: for every farmstead you see there are at least two or three more that stand empty. The houses are either falling down or already in a heap. The barn may be storing some old, nutritionless grass hay, and there might even be several rust-covered horse drawn implements tangled up with weeds and trees along the fencerow. A century ago these farms were the dreams of men and women who came to work the land. What happened to them? We can’t discuss profitable agricultural stewardship without looking at the sad reminder of what happens when profitability isn’t a priority.
We can look to legal troubles, inheritance tax, changing climate, droughts, loans and liens, the
Three D’s of farm failure: debt, divorce, and death. Any one of these could have been the cause of a single farm going under, but to understand the trend across the country we’ve got to look at all of them.
Overall, these factors and others contribute to the declining number of family farms in many regions. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of family farms in promoting local food systems, preserving biodiversity, and supporting rural communities, and efforts are being made to support these operations through policies, programs, and initiatives.
Saving a family farm can be a complex process that depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and scope of the operation, the specific challenges facing the farm, and the resources available to the family. Here are some general steps that can be taken to help save a family farm:
Overall, saving a family farm requires a combination of financial planning, strategic thinking, and community support. By taking a proactive approach and seeking out resources and support, families can work to preserve their farm for future generations.