Young Farmers Address Climate Change

Young Farmers Address Climate Change – a Message from the National Young Farmers Coalition

The thousands of young farmers and ranchers in the 45 chapters of the National Young Farmers’ Coalition across the country began careers in agriculture for manifold reasons: to grow healthier food for their communities; to steward the land, water, and natural resources for future generations; to support their families; to honor their ancestors; or a of a love for working outdoors, with livestock, or with their hands. Many NYFC farmers say that despite the long hours, hard physical labor, and low pay, the fulfillment they feel from planting seeds and helping them grow to harvest, or selling the meat and eggs they raised at market, has not diminished since their very first season.

The call to farming is as diverse as the individuals in the National Young Farmers Coalition, but the future of every young farmer is singularly challenged by the climate crisis.

This year, as Midwest farms recover from historic floods, farmers along the coasts struggle to rebuild from hurricanes and record-breaking heat waves, and producers throughout the West manage drought and the constant threat of wildfire, the impacts of the climate crisis on U.S. agriculture demand immediate action. 

From its inception in 2010, the National Young Farmers Coalition has brought farmers together to tackle the obstacles preventing young farmers from building successful careers in agriculture. It is time that young farmers address climate change. It is time for everyone to address climate change. If we do not take coordinated action now to address the climate crisis, the consequences will be dire: farmers and ranchers will be unable to produce the food, fiber, and fuel we all rely on.

Click here to read how young farmers are part of the solution to the climate crisis.

Climate change is not just a future threat⁠—it is here now and disrupting food production across the country, and the globe. NYFC is committed to helping young farmers and ranchers access the programs they need to protect their farms and livelihoods, and to amplifying their voices in advocacy for policy that will protect the future of agriculture from climate change and its devastating impacts.

As young farmers address climate change, we hope you will join them.