The average age for farmers continues to increase, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture.
The census is published every five years and shows the average age of farmers increased from 2017 to 2022. Mississippi and Florida had the highest average ages of producers at 59.6 and 59.5 years old respectively.
Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee had the largest percent change increases. Georgia’s average age increased from 57.9 in 2017 to 59 in 2022, a 1.9% change.
Alabama increased from 58 in 2017 to 58.7 in 2022, a 1.2% change. South Carolina increased from 58.2 to 58.9, a 1.2% change. Florida increased from 58.9 to 59.5, a 1% increase. North Carolina’s stayed the same at 58.1.
Out of Alabama’s 67 counties, 22 had declines in the average age of producers. Florida experienced the same with 22 of its 67 counties declining in the average age of producers. Out of Georgia’s 159 counties, 50 experienced a decline in age.