The country's population that have used farm equipment to perform their work are getting older, and the number of replacements for these proud farmers may not be enough to fill the vacant positions.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan has noticed a potential problem for the agriculture industry, but it has nothing to do with drought, rising fuel and feed prices or crop-eating pests. The Associated Press reported that a potential shortage of farmers and ranchers could exist in the near future.
According to the news outlet, the country's population that have used farm equipment to perform their work are getting older, and the number of replacements for these proud farmers may not be enough to fill the vacant positions.
"If we do not repopulate our working lands, I don’t know where to begin to talk about the woes," Merrigan told the AP. "There is a challenge here, a challenge that has a corresponding opportunity."
This could represent a tremendous chance for young Americans to embark on a new career path, as the agricultural industry has been growing and one of the strongest sectors of the economy.
Western Farm Press reported that a rising number of export opportunities could lead to further growth in the sector, helping to promote American agriculture in the coming years.
