KATHLEEN, Ga. — The Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands recently put out a report that said the state needs to do a better job or preserving farms, and helping local farmers.
Their report outlines what the state should do to keep the state's agriculture industry growing.
Some of the key findings and recommendations from the committee include:
- Expanding efforts to relieve tax burdens on farmers and farm communities to make farming financially viable across all regions of Georgia.
- Establishing a state-level disaster relief package for farm and rural communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
- Advocating for a federal Farm Bill that incentivizes farmland conservation.
- Increasing state investments in workforce development initiatives to support rural Georgia’s future.
- Supporting opportunities for farm-based education in school systems statewide.
- Expanding rural veterinary services to bolster cattle, dairy and equine operations.
"I wouldn't say that young people don't want to work. I think that financially it's probably harder now than ever," 31-year-old pecan farmer Cason Anderson said.
Anderson's farm is in Montezuma, but he also farms in Houston County.
According to the Federal Census of Agriculture, America has lost 7% of its farms between 2017 and 2022. According to the same census, Anderson is one of 67,082 farmers in Georgia, but that number's been on the decline. The census said five years ago, that number was higher by about 1,000 farmers.
"Agriculture is not very profitable currently," Anderson said. "The government can talk and they can come up with all the credits they want, but until someone's paid what they're worth, why would you not sell your farm?"
He said about 10 years ago, pecan farmers were averaging about $2.50 per pound. And today, that same pound averages about $1.50.
"Farmers need to earn what they're actually worth, and you wouldn't have a shortage of farmland," he said.
With more farmers retiring each year, it's up to younger farmers to take over the task of feeding America, but Anderson said not everybody who wants to farm can afford the high costs.
"Anybody can get a loan on a piece of property, but the 20% down-payment is tough," he said. "You get 100 acres at $10,000 a acre. How many young people - how many 50-year-olds have $200,000 - laying around for a down-payment?"
He's thankful the state senate committee cares about conserving farmland, but said the way things are right now, farming is a whole lot of work, with very little profit.
In Georgia, the census said the average farmer is 59 years old. And about 5,000 farmers are under the age of 35 - less than 1 out 10.