Arkansas farmers urged to involve youth to preserve family farms
Across rural Arkansas, the future of family farming is not as stable as it once was. With the average farmer now 85 years old and corporate agriculture expanding, the tradition of passing farms down through generations is under pressure like never before.
For decades, generational farming, the passing of land and operations from parent to child, has been a cornerstone of rural life. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, rising land costs, inheritance disputes, and limited access to credit are making it harder for younger farmers. Many choose urban careers instead, leaving farms without succession plans.
Bridging the gap between generations may be just as important as easing financial burdens. Scoggins explained that older farmers can play a key role in keeping family operations alive by inviting younger relatives to take part in the work, sharing knowledge, and being open to new ideas. Allowing the next generation to help doesn’t mean losing tradition, it means strengthening it. Instead of old farmers resisting they should be open to the new generation to take over.
“Farming is what keeps this world going and so many farms are going out not only because of money, but because the old generation can’t get along with the new generation,” said Abby Scoggins, an 18-year-old generational row crop farmer in Northeast Arkansas.
For Scoggins, the tradition was too important to let go, and in 2023 she bought her family farm from her father, taking on 400 acres of land. At just 16, she faced doubts in a male-dominated field.
“The biggest challenge was being a 16-year-old girl starting on my own,” explained Scoggins.
From a young age, Scoggins knew she was going to run the family row crop farm when she got older. As her family became to busy with their own jobs, Scoggins secured her claim to her generational farm by striking a deal with her grandfather, buying 400 acers to start utilizing her grandfather’s teachings.
Still, Scoggins invested her time and money to keep the farm alive. Her story is an example of how young farmers, given the chance, can sustain the legacy of family agriculture even when the odds are stacked against them.
Statewide in Arkansas, programs are working to support those willing to take the leap. The Arkansas Century Farm Program, estate planning resources, and farm transition workshops all aim to connect young people with the tools they need to inherit or start operations. Local schools and The National FFA Organization are also reshaping their perception of agriculture by teaching entrepreneurship, Agri-Tech, and environmental stewardship.
“Organizations like FFA provides an array of opportunities for exposure, growth, leadership development and personal development that aligns with the belief and understanding of today’s youth with that of the core principles of agriculture,” said Addison Safley, the Searcy Highschool Agriculture teacher.
But challenges remain, the high costs of land and equipment, property taxes, and the dominance of industrial farming continue to squeeze family operations. Scoggins believes the solution is not only policy but partnership: older farmers must bring younger relatives into decision-making, allowing them to learn and innovate. Without that cooperation, even well-funded operations may fall short.
“So many farms are going out not only because of money, but because farmers do not have a solid plan for handing down the family farm,” said Scoggins. “I think it’s more vital now than ever to keep family farms in the hands of the generations to come.”
For Scoggins, the answer to the scarcity of generational farming is simple. Stay true to tradition, and love what you do.
