Here’s To Staying Forever Young — in the Farm Field
May 14, 2024 As promised on this site recently, we are going to periodically relay some of the more relevant results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which hit the streets in February. Where better to start than grower demographics. Or so it would seem.
When it comes to average age, the census cites only six categories. The youngest of those six (yes, youngest) is “under 58.” The oldest is “60 or more.” All of which caught my attention. As of May 5, I am now a member of that latter category (if I were a farmer, of course).
I’m not so sure how I feel about this. Sixty or more is a pretty broad classification. Theoretically that could include the world’s oldest living man, Juan Vicente Perez Mora, who, no lie, bought a farm in Venezuela when he was 31 — in 1940. He passed away early last month at the age of 114.
On one hand, it’s good to know I could enjoy (knock on wood) a few more good years or even decades. At the same time, I still feel a heckuva lot closer to 30 than I do the “or more” part of 60 or more. Hey, I just bought Olivia Rodrigo’s second album (vinyl is back, how cool is that?). I wear my sons’ Vans when they’re not looking (eat your heart out, Spicoli). I even have my own TikTok account (OK, that’s a lie).
The point here is that a lot of people, particularly media, like to make a big deal out of how “ancient” apparently most of you are. But it’s just a number, whatever yours might be. When I was in high school, I always wondered if I’d make it to 30. Now I’ve done that twice over. You probably have, too. It’s kind of alarming, but congrats to us all! And yet the goal remains the same — to get a little better every day. I look forward to accomplishing as much in rhythm with each of you.
As for more 2022 Census of Agriculture demographics:
- The Southwest and Southeast are largely comprised of the oldest growers. Producers under 35 (about 9% of all growers) live in the North, Midwest, and Northeast.
- The number of growers 65 and older increased 12.1% between 2017 and 2022. Meanwhile, the number of producers 35 and younger increased as well by 3.9%. Everyone in-between dropped 9%.
- Fruit and tree nut farmers account for 4% of all “young” growers and 5% of all “not young” growers.
Lastly, the average age of new or beginning producers (10 years or less on any farm) is 47.1.
Man, 47 seems like just yesterday. If only I knew back then what I know now, maybe I’d be reading this column instead of writing it.
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