The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) director says technology is important in attracting young farmers. Brian Hauswirth with Missourinet has the story.
The state Department of Agriculture says the average age of a Missouri farmer is 58. MDA Director Chris Chinn notes Governor Mike Parson’s two top priorities are workforce development and infrastructure, adding that they “play in very nicely” to attracting young farmers.
Chinn says high-speed internet is crucial to attracting next-generation farmers. Missouri lawmakers approved a bill this year from Springfield State Representative Curtis Trent, which enables the state’s rural electric cooperatives to make unused capacity available for residential and commercial purposes.
