Future Farming: Growing Forward
- Meggan Urevig
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
There’s a quiet question sitting at the edge of many kitchen tables, shop conversations, and pasture walks right now:
What happens next?
Across the Midwest—and especially here at home—farms are facing a turning point. The land is still good. The knowledge is still here. But the bridge between generations? That’s where things get uncertain. Some farms have no clear transition plan. Others have eager next-generation farmers but no clear pathway in. And many are somewhere in between—rich in legacy, but short on structure. The truth is, the future of farming isn’t just about yields, inputs, or technology.
It’s about people. It’s about relationships.
It’s about how we pass something meaningful forward—without breaking it along the way.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
We are living in a time where:
A large portion of farmland is owned by aging farmers
Land prices make it nearly impossible for beginners to get started traditionally
Aging Farmers still need to draw income as they consider retirement
Knowledge built over generations risks being lost instead of transferred
And young farmers? They’re ready—but often locked out or seen wanting to work hard enough.
At the same time, something hopeful is happening.
A new generation is stepping up—curious, driven, and deeply committed to doing things differently. Regenerative practices, direct-to-consumer markets, diversified operations… they’re not just ideas anymore. They’re realities being built every day.
But for that future to take root, we need better transition models.
A 4-Week Series on What Comes Next
Over the next four weeks, we’re diving into four real, practical ways farms can transition, evolve, and stay in the hands of people who care for them.
Not theory. Not fluff.
Real pathways. Real challenges. Real opportunity.
In this series, we'll highlight some local farmers and organizations who are on the front line of this topic to help gain further insight and ideas to consider.
Week 1: Planning Ahead – Wills, Trusts & Keeping the Farm Intact
We’ll start with the foundation: what every farm should have in place legally and structurally to make a smooth family transition possible.
Because nothing fractures a farm faster than:
Unclear ownership,
Unspoken expectations
Or paperwork that was never finished
Week 1 is about protecting the farm—and the relationships tied to it.
Week 2: Generations at Work – Bridging the Gap Between Old & New
Farming looks different depending on where you stand.
Older farmers carry decades of experience, risk management, and resilience
Younger farmers bring innovation, energy, and new market ideas
But bringing those together? That’s where things can get complicated.
In Week 2, we’ll talk honestly about:
Communication breakdowns
Differences in decision-making
Financial realities
And how to make space for both wisdom and change
Week 3: Co-Farming – Sharing the Load, Sharing the Future
What if the next generation didn’t have to start from scratch?
Co-farming is an emerging model where:
A beginning farmer buys into land or infrastructure over time
They actively work within the operation
And gradually step into ownership and decision-making
It’s partnership over pressure—and it might be one of the most realistic paths forward for many farms.
In our 3rd week, we'll explore all the in's and outs in this path that's gaining momentum.
Week 4: Apprenticeship-Based Transition – Earning Equity Through Work
This model brings us back to something agriculture has always known:
You learn by doing.
In an apprenticeship-style transition:
A seasoned farmer mentors the next generation
The incoming farmer invests time, labor, and commitment
And over time, that work translates into ownership or equity
It’s not fast. It’s not always easy.
But it builds something deeper than a transaction—it builds trust, skill, and continuity.
The Heart of It All
No matter the model, the goal is the same:
Keep farmland in the hands of people who will care for it. Keep knowledge alive instead of letting it disappear. And create pathways that make farming possible-not just for those born into it, but for those called to it.
This series isn’t about telling you there’s one right way.
It’s about opening the door to conversations that too many farms avoid until it’s too late.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Whether you’re:
A farmer thinking about retirement
A next-generation farmer trying to find your way in
Or a family somewhere in the middle
This series is for you.
Because the future of farming isn’t something that just happens.
It’s something we build—together.
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