“One of the big challenges is the price of input versus output for farmers,” said Malia Killey, the 2025 Miss Warren County Fair Queen. “As an advocate for agriculture and young farmers in Warren County, I see how difficult it is for young men and women to get started in the industry. Are there resources or words of wisdom any of you can share to encourage or help these young farmers in our community get started in agriculture?”
Malia Killey, the 2025 Miss Warren County Fair Queen, posed the question during the Fall FS Ag Roundtables, seeking advice for young people looking to enter the field.
Chris Gavin, CEO of 1870s Holding Company, emphasized the urgent need for more young workers in agriculture.
“There’s a big shortage of people who want to work on the farm. The average age of farmers continues to climb, and it’s been very hard for young farmers to buy in,” said Gavin. “You can go work on a farm right out of high school and make $50,000–$60,000 a year while attending junior college at the same time. There are opportunities out there for employment, but it’s definitely very hard if you don’t have family members already in the business. I don’t see that changing.”
Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson added that he is working on legislation aimed at supporting the next generation of farmers.
“I’ve got a piece of legislation that, if you’re going to retire and you rent your farm or lease your equipment to a non-farmer who wants to become a farmer, that young person would qualify you for a tax credit. The landowner or equipment owner would receive that credit, which helps encourage and bring some new blood into the agricultural cycle.”
