Letter To The Editor: Creating Opportunities For Young Farmers

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

Dear editor,

My family wouldn’t be farming in Mahaska County today if it weren’t for Eugene “Bubsy” Strohman who gave my father the chance he needed to get started in agriculture.

The average age of a farmer in Iowa hovers around 57, and rural residency in Iowa is on the decline. Young adults are moving away from rural areas to find better paying jobs and more opportunities.

Research shows 62% of the population in Iowa resides in metro areas, and small Iowa cities and rural areas average an annual loss of 2-4% of their population per year.

Mahaska County farmers, if you currently don’t have a succession plan, I urge you to consider taking a young farmer under your wing so they don’t leave for other opportunities like others have.

By providing young farmers with access to land, resources, mentorship and an invaluable wealth of knowledge, you can help ensure our community continues to grow and remains a successful and thriving part of the state.

If you don’t know a younger farmer, please reach out to myself or any other Mahaska County Farm Bureau board members. We’d be happy to help you make a connection with a young farmer today.

Be a Bubsy—take a chance on a younger person and watch as their family grows within the community just like mine did.

Aaron Hinnah