Almost one-quarter of farm operations are run by a principal operator who is under 55 years old. The principal operator is the person most responsible for making day-to-day decisions. In comparison, 63% of U.S. self-employed workers in nonagricultural industries are younger than 55, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In 2020, midsize family farms, which have a gross cash farm income of $350,000-999,999, and off-farm occupation farms, which are small operations where principal operators report a primary occupation other than farming, had the largest percentage of principal operators younger than 55 years old, at 36% and 38%, respectively.
Retirement farms made up the smallest percentage (2%) of farms being managed by a younger principal operator. For many family farms, the farm is also the home, and the principal operator can gradually phase out of farming or transition management to the next generation. Improved health and advances in farm equipment also allow principal operators to farm later in life than in previous generations. — USDA Economic Research Service
