The agriculture industry faces an existential crisis as the average age of the farmer continues to go up, while younger generations are hesitant to take up farming. Organic grocer Whole Foods Market and non-profit National Young Farmers Coalition are working to help solve that problem with a new fund, geared towards those using sustainable farming practices.
On Aug. 7, the two organizations launched the Next Generation Farmer Fund, which will support farmers under the age of 40 who are using land stewardship practices, supporting local communities, and creating a stronger food system for the future, as shared in a press release.
Whole Foods serves as the founding financial partner for the fund, committing a dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000 with participating food and agriculture companies, against a goal of collecting more than $1 million for farmers. The fund already has industry support from PepsiCo, Perdue, Prairie Farms, Lil Bucks, MadeGood, and other food and ag companies.
Whole Foods will also dedicate 1% of its August revenues generated by sales from its Berry Chantilly Cake to the Next Generation Farmer Fund.
The partnership comes as the agriculture industry grapples with labor shortages and an aging workforce. Having steadily increased for decades, the average age of U.S. producers and farm operators increased to 58.1 years, compared to a low of 48.6 in 1954, according to USDA data.
“The new generation is stepping into agriculture because they see themselves as the climate leaders, environmental changemakers and problem solvers to some of our biggest environmental and food system challenges,” said Michelle A.T. Hughes, executive director of the National Young Farmers Coalition, in a press release.
She added, “There are urgent challenges standing in the way of their success, including access to land, access to capital, health care costs, access to affordable housing, the high cost of production, student loan debt, climate change, immigration issues and access to federal programs. The Next Generation Farmer Fund helps deliver the resources and support they need to build their businesses, while recognizing the indispensable role they play as environmental stewards and community leaders.”
