🚜 Future Farmers

In Iowa, farming is more than a livelihood — it’s a way of life that powers our economy, feeds the world, and keeps our communities strong. But it’s getting harder to keep that life going. Young Iowans looking to farm — or take over the family operation — are running into sky-high costs and falling farm incomes. For too many, the math just doesn’t add up, and better-paying careers outside rural Iowa start to look like the only option. Zoom out : Farmers across Iowa are aging out, and not enough young people are stepping in. 🌾 The average farmer in Iowa is almost 60 👩‍🌾 Fewer than one in ten producers is under 35 Why it matters : We can’t grow the next generation of Iowa agriculture if young producers can’t afford to start. Right now, outdated USDA rules are shutting out Iowa’s next-generation farmers who don’t meet the outdated experience requirements for a loan — especially first-generation Iowans without inherited land. That’s not just bad policy, it’s a threat to the future of Iowa’s economy, food supply, and rural way of life. 📽️ Watch this short video to learn how we’re fighting to keep farming a family business: The solution : We just introduced the Next Generation of Farmers Act , a bipartisan plan to cut red tape and help young Iowans build a future in farming. Our bill would: ✅ Cut the USDA loan experience requirement from three years to one ✅ Allow education and on-the-job training to count toward eligibility ✅ Create flexibility for exceptional cases while maintaining strong oversight Bottom Line: Iowa can’t afford to let the next generation get priced out of farming. Our bill gives young producers the tools to make their start and grow their business — right here in our rural communities.