In Iowa, farming is more than a livelihood — it’s a way of life that powers our economy, feeds the world, and keeps our communities strong. But it’s getting harder to keep that life going.
Young Iowans looking to farm — or take over the family operation — are running into sky-high costs and falling farm incomes. For too many, the math just doesn’t add up, and better-paying careers outside rural Iowa start to look like the only option.
Zoom out: Farmers across Iowa are aging out, and not enough young people are stepping in.
🌾 The average farmer in Iowa is almost 60
👩🌾 Fewer than one in ten producers is under 35
Why it matters: We can’t grow the next generation of Iowa agriculture if young producers can’t afford to start.
Right now, outdated USDA rules are shutting out Iowa’s next-generation farmers who don’t meet the outdated experience requirements for a loan — especially first-generation Iowans without inherited land. That’s not just bad policy, it’s a threat to the future of Iowa’s economy, food supply, and rural way of life.
📽️ Watch this short video to learn how we’re fighting to keep farming a family business:
The solution: We just introduced the Next Generation of Farmers Act, a bipartisan plan to cut red tape and help young Iowans build a future in farming.
Our bill would:
✅ Cut the USDA loan experience requirement from three years to one
✅ Allow education and on-the-job training to count toward eligibility
✅ Create flexibility for exceptional cases while maintaining strong oversight
Bottom Line: Iowa can’t afford to let the next generation get priced out of farming. Our bill gives young producers the tools to make their start and grow their business — right here in our rural communities.