Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 1/3/18

Much of the ag news of late has chronicled young farmers and their struggles. In recent months, lawmakers introduced legislation to make sure young farmers have their voices heard in the next farm bill. Stone Barns hosted a conference in December for young farmers that touched on diversity and inclusivity. The American Farm Bureau Federation's annual conference that starts Friday includes tracks and awards for young farmers. And next month, the organization is hosting a conference catering exclusively to young farmers and ranchers, with perks like family play areas and nursing rooms.

But that's not an entirely accurate portrait of our farmers today who, for the most part, are at the end of their careers. A report released last year by the National Young Farmers Coalition showed that farmers over the age of 65 outnumber farmers under the age of 35 by 6 to 1. It has been a steadily growing trend: the 2014 USDA census of agriculture showed that the average age of the principal operator of the nation's farms rose to 58.3 years in 2012, from 50.5 years in 1982. 

Facing tough times: John K. Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, an organization with 3,500 members, said that the past four harsh years in many ag sectors have forced farmers who never took out loans to assume huge debt loads. "It's like the house is on fire and no firemen showing up. We are really struggling," Hansen said. "I've talked to a bunch of farmers who told me they went from being debt free to being in a situation where they owe way more money than they ever thought they would owe again." 

How that is playing out: Hansen added that the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline has fielded more calls from farmers facing financial stress than at any other time since it launched in 1984. He said that at the group's September conference, a 68-year-old farmer who lives modestly and has no children said he had recently filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy because he could not keep his farm going. At a December meeting, a 70-year-old farmer talked about how his wife and his banker pepper him with the same questions about how he plans to survive.

'An eerie silence': Hansen said that although aging farmers may be less vocal about how much they are suffering, lawmakers should not assume they don't need any assistance. "It's this eerie silence. But the silence should not be taken to mean things are OK. It means a lot of folks have given up on waiting for remedy," said Hansen. "Our guys no longer have any faith that Congress is going to do anything ... . They're just trying to figure out the best way to get out."