Family farms and ranches are becoming few and far between
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - South Dakota has been a staple of the American agricultural industry for a long time. The Mount Rushmore state is facing the same troubling trend that has been raising alarm bells among agricultural professionals for the past few decades - family farms and ranches are seemingly going away.
Since 2017, the number of American farms and ranches has dropped by 150,000. The country’s population has doubled since the 1950s, but we now have about the same number of farms as we did back then. Many farmers and ranchers have spoken out about these statistics and the impacts that could be coming in the near future.
“We found out through this pandemic that, if nothing else, our food supply is at a very short length,” said Doug Sombke, president of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Sombke raised concerns about how large agricultural corporations are taking over the industry, which leaves less room for family farms to succeed. If issues arise at one of these large corporate farms which compromises crop quality, this can lead to food shortages. Less competition between smaller producers results in fewer distinct food products.
With large corporations dominating much of the agriculture industry, this also means that new farmers or ranchers need to spend large amounts of money just to get started in the industry. Young people who want to pursue farming or ranching face significant barriers.
“Right off the bat, you’re gonna be so deep in debt,” said Chuck Willard, president of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, speaking of how things go for young cattle ranchers. “And then you have to stock your cattle, you have to have a certain amount of machinery. So if you’re just starting from scratch, you’re almost doomed from the beginning.” Willard noted that without taking over for an older relative who owns a ranch, it is nearly impossible for young people to become ranchers. This has resulted in the average age of the American agricultural producer being over 58 years old.
While a reversal of these trends will take some time, Sombke and Willard each mentioned that purchasing food from local vendors is one way people can support family farms and ranches.
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