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Engaging the next generation of agriculture

It’s no secret the aging farm population is a challenge the entire ag sector continues to face and bringing more young people back into the industry is something that’s being addressed on a global level.  

In the US, just 9 percent of farmers are under the age of 35.  In the European Union, that number drops to 5 percent. 

Robbie Walker with Alltech says the dynamic of agriculture is changing and it’s attracting more young people to the industry.

“Agriculture is going to be linked more to food as technology links the supply chain,” he says.  “It’s going to be Agri-food – not agriculture or food.  Anyone who is interested in food or health is by its very nature linked to agriculture and farming.”

And, he says, the ag tech sector has helped engage more young people in agriculture.  Many of whom don’t have an ag background.