 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
All Young Farmer and Rancher programs are
sponsored by Dodge. Click here for more exciting
rebate offers from Dodge.
Young Farmer's & Ranchers
There are lots of numbers farmers and ranchers should be concerned about; numbers like bushels per
acre, cost per head of livestock and the number 58.
What’s 58 you ask?
It’s the average age of the American farmer and to most of us in agriculture it’s an alarming number. Not
that there’s anything wrong with 58-year-old farmers and ranchers. Regardless of their age, farmers and
ranchers are the hardest working folks I know. Not many 58-year-olds would want to work another 15 years,
but for farmers and ranchers that’s likely to be the case, given the current state of agriculture.
According to the USDA, farmers and ranchers don’t really retire like the rest of us. That might not be the
case in this current economy, but traditionally, by the time most people reach their late 60s they’re looking
for the gold watch and at least 10 years with the grandkids.
In a recent survey conducted by the Neilsen Company for the American Farm Bureau, the demographics of
our organization, and, by extension those of America’s farmers and ranchers, tell a very interesting story. I’
ve always been fascinated by statistics and this survey laid out some telling ones when we as producers
look to the next generation.
Fifty-five percent of our members are farmers and ranchers, while 45 percent are not. Of those 55 percent,
42 percent have been Farm Bureau members for more than 18 years. That says a lot about our
organization. It means we’re doing our job, representing our core group.
But, as the Nielsen survey points out, it also says our organization “skews older.” Only one in four
members are under 50. In fact, the mean age of the average Farm Bureau member is 59. Only 10 percent
are under the age of 40. Topping the age stats is the most telling of all the data in the survey. Eighteen
percent of Farm Bureau members are 75 or older.
As members of Young Farmers and Ranchers, you represent the future of our organization. Many of our
statewide leaders, from President Ronnie Anderson to many of our state and parish board members, got
their start in YF&R. As an organization that’s prided itself in cutting-edge programs and philosophies, it’s
vital that you make your voices heard. Recruiting other young farmers and ranchers also improves our
position.
As a member of your parish Farm Bureau’s YF&R program you’re also eligible to take advantage of several
contest opportunities, including our annual Achievement Award, Young Farm Woman, Award of Excellence
and our Discussion Meet. At the state level the YF&R Achievement Award winner receives a host of prizes,
including a new Dodge Ram pickup. All these state contests have national equivalents, with Louisiana’s
winners traveling to the American Farm Bureau convention each January. Nationally, the prize packages
are tremendous, including Dodge trucks, tractors, utility vehicles, cash and savings bonds.
For more information about YF&R programs you can contact your local parish Farm Bureau office, or contact
Julie Baker Richard with the Louisiana Farm Bureau state office:
Julie Baker Richard
Assistant Director of Field Services
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
P. O. Box 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004
Telephone: (225) 922-6213
FAX: (225) 922-6229
acre, cost per head of livestock and the number 58.
What’s 58 you ask?
It’s the average age of the American farmer and to most of us in agriculture it’s an alarming number. Not
that there’s anything wrong with 58-year-old farmers and ranchers. Regardless of their age, farmers and
ranchers are the hardest working folks I know. Not many 58-year-olds would want to work another 15 years,
but for farmers and ranchers that’s likely to be the case, given the current state of agriculture.
According to the USDA, farmers and ranchers don’t really retire like the rest of us. That might not be the
case in this current economy, but traditionally, by the time most people reach their late 60s they’re looking
for the gold watch and at least 10 years with the grandkids.
In a recent survey conducted by the Neilsen Company for the American Farm Bureau, the demographics of
our organization, and, by extension those of America’s farmers and ranchers, tell a very interesting story. I’
ve always been fascinated by statistics and this survey laid out some telling ones when we as producers
look to the next generation.
Fifty-five percent of our members are farmers and ranchers, while 45 percent are not. Of those 55 percent,
42 percent have been Farm Bureau members for more than 18 years. That says a lot about our
organization. It means we’re doing our job, representing our core group.
But, as the Nielsen survey points out, it also says our organization “skews older.” Only one in four
members are under 50. In fact, the mean age of the average Farm Bureau member is 59. Only 10 percent
are under the age of 40. Topping the age stats is the most telling of all the data in the survey. Eighteen
percent of Farm Bureau members are 75 or older.
As members of Young Farmers and Ranchers, you represent the future of our organization. Many of our
statewide leaders, from President Ronnie Anderson to many of our state and parish board members, got
their start in YF&R. As an organization that’s prided itself in cutting-edge programs and philosophies, it’s
vital that you make your voices heard. Recruiting other young farmers and ranchers also improves our
position.
As a member of your parish Farm Bureau’s YF&R program you’re also eligible to take advantage of several
contest opportunities, including our annual Achievement Award, Young Farm Woman, Award of Excellence
and our Discussion Meet. At the state level the YF&R Achievement Award winner receives a host of prizes,
including a new Dodge Ram pickup. All these state contests have national equivalents, with Louisiana’s
winners traveling to the American Farm Bureau convention each January. Nationally, the prize packages
are tremendous, including Dodge trucks, tractors, utility vehicles, cash and savings bonds.
For more information about YF&R programs you can contact your local parish Farm Bureau office, or contact
Julie Baker Richard with the Louisiana Farm Bureau state office:
Julie Baker Richard
Assistant Director of Field Services
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
P. O. Box 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004
Telephone: (225) 922-6213
FAX: (225) 922-6229
About YF&R
Growing tomorrow's leaders today!
YF&R Chair Marty Wooldridge
| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
