Fewer young people are farming - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Fewer young people are farming

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The number of young farmers in Georgia and around the country is drastically decreasing.

The USDA Ag Census shows a nationwide 40 % drop in the number of farmers under 25 and younger in just five years.
     
An extension agent in Dougherty County, James Morgan, says it's difficult for young people who didn't grow up in farm families to start farming. 

"One of the things is if someone of that age should have some assets, land, cattle, or something where they can start be applying for loans," said Morgan. "It would make it difficult for a person that age to apply for a loan if they have no collateral."

Another reason behind the drop is that more kids from farm families are going off to college and deciding not to return to the farm to work.


 

 

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