At a recent beef cattle genetics program I was very pleased with the number of young/beginning farmers who were in attendance.     7 of the 21 in attendance were under the age of 30.   This is a much larger percentage than in years past.  Why is that?   

Beginning in 2016 the Campbell County ANR agent made a conscious effort to develop/help develop specific agriculture programs that would address the needs of young and beginning farmers.   Programs such as Homesteading, Farm Start, Ag Organizations, Young Farmer Leadership Program, Beginning Farmer Grant Program and Youth Agriculture Incentive Grant Program have created a strong working relationship between young and beginning farmers and the Extension Service. As a result of these programs, I have made numerous farm visits to these young farmers to help them develop specific projects. Examples of projects include: new sheep enterprise, equine arena construction, cattle handling facilities, feed storage and feeding facilities, and forage and water development.

Not only are these young farmers utilizing the Extension Service resources, they are becoming key agriculture leaders in local groups such as the Campbell County Cattle Association, Beef Association, Ag Development Council and Ag Council.  For example, five of the eight Campbell County Cattle Association directors are young farmer under the age of 32.