Generational Farm Crisis

Only 30% of farms make it to the second generation, and only 12% will live to see the third, and a sad 3-5% will survive through to the fourth generation.

I think we all know we’re losing farms at an alarming rate in the US, we’ve had a 10% decline just in 2022! Off-farm jobs are the norm now, where households require them to make ends meet. Only 43% of farms in the U.S. reported a positive net income, meaning that over HALF of farms either broke even or lost money.

Why is this so alarming?

For Pennsylvania specifically where we are, mid-sized farms are the backbone of PA agriculture yet they are the size farms that are declining the fastest, with hot spots for development around Pittsburgh (American Farmland Trust).

Farm57 began in 2018 out of necessity to provide clean food for our children. To make it sustainable (and enjoyable) for our children and future grandchildren, we started selling and shipping our pasture raised chicken directly to families all across the nation.

What can you do?

• Support a local farm - Farmers aren’t asking to supply your entire diet with their farm goods, and we don’t need hundreds of customers. Just one purchase is a step toward preserving the farm, and we only need a few faithful ones who believe in what we do.

• Make a referral - Maybe your local farmer isn’t for you and that’s okay, but I bet you do know someone who could benefit from their hard work and products.

• Help - Can you donate your time to physically helping on the farm in some way? (Farmer workouts will beat a gym workout anyday!) Can you help them invest in a vital project that requires capital money? Can you help them connect with someone that would help meet their needs?

Thank you for helping preserve farms like ours.

Blessings,
Joel & Megan