Wisconsin sees 16% increase in new and beginner farmers since 2017

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wisconsin lost 10% of its farms since 2017, according to the most recent census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The State saw over 450 dairy farm closures last year alone. Despite the grave trend for smaller farms, there’s been an uptick in younger farmers taking the wheel.

Morgan Lobdell, 25, and her husband, Casey Lobdell, 27, are farmers in Mineral Point. They’re significantly younger than the average farmer’s age, which is 56.7 years old, according to the census.

“We reconnected while showing livestock at the Wisconsin State Fair and we’ve been together ever since,” Morgan said, sitting next to her husband in their farm house. “It was always our goal to own a farm, so looking back now it’s crazy we’ve been together this long and we’re sitting in our own place.”

Both Morgan and Casey knew since their competing days in Future Farmers of America that they wanted to continue their families’ traditions.

“We grew up with it,” Casey said. “It’s what we know, and it’s really kind of a dream.”

Since 2017, there’s been a 16% increase in new or beginner farmers, like the Lobdells.

“We call ourselves flashlight farmers because we farm in the dark most nights and on the weekends,” Morgan said.

The pair took over Morgan’s Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle Mert’s farm, despite the industry’s challenges.

“The amount of livestock we’re running, in the past, they would’ve been fully employed here on the farm,” Morgan said. “Today, that’s not the case.”

Both Morgan and Casey work full-time jobs outside of the farm.

“[We’re] doing the farming thing on the side, even though it’s more like a second full-time job,” Casey said.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union credits policy for the uptick in younger farmers. In response to the significant hardships the pandemic placed on farmers, the United States Department of Agriculture created programs to help support smaller farmers, Kriss Marion, a director of communications for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, said.

“A lot of decision makers said this is a wake up call,” Marion said. “It’s time to support diversification, support small and medium scale farms and build a more resilient ag system.”

Morgan and Casey said they utilized programs from the USDA to purchase the farm from their family.

“Passing on that legacy to the next generation, that can be stressful,” Morgan said. “But we’re up for the challenge.”

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