ST. PAUL, MN – The agriculture industry is facing an aging workforce. Farmers under the age of 35 now make up only 9 percent of farmers and ranchers.
To better prepare the next generation Senator Tina Smith is co-sponsoring a bill to establish a work-based agriculture training program that would help encourage more people to get into farming :
“We want to give grants to community or technical colleges or other organizations that are supporting people getting into farming and agriculture. I’m really excited about this, it’s something supported by the Farm Bureau and Farmers Union,” Smith said.
Smith says agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy. With food shortages, supply chain snags, and a tight labor market around the world, it’s vital we support and grow our farming sector here at home.
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