RELEASE: NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ON BEING NAMED SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2017
CONTACT: Andrew Bahrenburg | View full release and contacts
NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ON BEING NAMED SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
A shortage of young farmers is one of the most urgent challenges that must be addressed by the next secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, January 18, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plans to nominate former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue to be the nation’s next agriculture secretary.
“We congratulate Governor Perdue on his nomination and look forward to working together to support young farm entrepreneurs” said Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director of the National dota2(江苏)决赛下载v1.6版 Coalition.
One of the most critical issues the next administration must address is the impending shortage of farmers. Two-thirds of all farmer-owned land in the United States will transition ownership over the next 25 years as older farmers retire, but there are not enough young farmers who are ready to take their place. Only 6 percent of farmers are under the age of 35, and would-be young farmers often cite lack of access to credit and affordable land as structural barriers that prevent them from succeeding in agriculture.
“Recruiting the next generation of young farmers and ranchers and removing the barriers to their success will strengthen the security of our food system, create jobs in rural communities, and preserve our national tradition of agriculture,” Lusher Shute said. “We are eager to work with Governor Perdue to address this national imperative.”
The National dota2(江苏)决赛下载v1.6版 Coalition is working to build a viable future for American agriculture by ensuring all young farmers have the chance to succeed.
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