Passing Down Farms

Passing Down Farms

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Placing farms and ranches into the hands of the next generation is an increasingly challenging issue countrywide, but critical to the future of agriculture. A new report issued by Oregon State University, Portland State University, and Rogue Farm Corps, estimates that, in the case of Oregon, 64 percent of farmland– more than 10 million acres– will have new owners over the next two decades. Land use specialist Jim Johnson of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, noting that most farms are family operated, says that's concerning:

 JOHNSON: "So change in ownerships, especially with issues of whether or not the younger generation wants to farm or not, is a real issue and what's going to happen to that land base."  

 Agricultural land could stay in farming, but not necessarily. Finding ways to pass that farm down to family members or new and beginning farmers, to keep it in ag production, is a major part of the report. One key recommendation is farm succession planning, a legal tool that too often isn't used by aging farmers and ranchers:

 JOHNSON: "A handshake agreement and a pass along really isn't good enough anymore. There is so much going on out there. So planning for how you are going to basically move that land to your next family member or whatever, is so key."  :15

 Farm succession workshops are scheduled for later this month and November. Current farmers and ranchers are encouraged to attend. Meanwhile, taking steps to make farms and ranches more affordable and accessible to a new generation is key to Oregon's agricultural future.

JOHNSON says there doesn't appear to be a lack of interest in the younger generation wanting to farm or ranch. It's a matter of accessibility and affordability of the land:

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