The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s youth programming was recently featured by Tribal Business News. Find an except of the article below, and click the button at the bottom of the page to access the full article.

As nearly two-thirds of the farmers in America approach retirement age, many Native ag organizations consider it imperative to interest and involve the next generation of producers and agricultural industry workers in agriculture from the jump. 

It’s a matter of increasing urgency as 62% of the country’s farmers will reach retirement age by 2027, according to a report by analysis firm USA Facts. As well, more than 30% of Native farmers were over 65 years old, according to the most recent USDA census data available. 

By comparison, just 9% of Native farmers were younger than 35 years old.

The need for future Native farmers and other participants in the agriculture industry has prompted events like the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas’ Leadership Summit. That event brings together college students from across the country to network with each other and industry professionals, visit farm operations, and discuss how to enter the Native agriculture industry.