Climate Connections Young farmers face steep odds in a changing climate
Oct 15, 2025
Young farmers face a daunting future with soaring land costs and crippling student debt. Climate shocks like storms and droughts hit them hardest, leaving them vulnerable without adequate insurance. The 2021 Texas winter storm showcased this peril, forcing many young farmers out of business. Advocacy efforts are underway for federal support to help these farmers gain access to land, capital, and resources to build resilience. The challenges are steep, but the fight for a sustainable future continues.
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Barriers To New Farmers Are Structural
- Most U.S. farms pass within generations, which limits land access for newcomers.
- High land costs and student debt force young farmers to rely on credit and tight margins.
Skipping Insurance Raises Climate Vulnerability
- Tight margins lead many young farmers to skip crop insurance because of cost.
- Skipping insurance leaves them extremely vulnerable when storms or droughts hit.
Texas Chapter Closed After 2021 Storm
- The National Young Farmers Coalition's Texas chapter lost most members after the 2021 winter storm.
- Vanessa Garcia-Polanco says about 20 members mostly stopped farming and the chapter shut down.