VIDALIA — In a world surrounded by expanding technology, and a generation of young people expanding with it, the world of farming is finding itself harder and harder to grow.

An aging farming population and a lack of replacements is causing concerns for farmers across the Miss-Lou.

J. Stevens, associate professor and extension specialist of soil fertility and nutrient management at the LSU Ag Center, said the average age of farmers in the state of Louisiana is between 57 and 60.

“Many young people are not going into farming,” he said. “Even those whose parents are farmers.”

County Director for Adams-County Extension service, David Carter said the rise of technology and the creation of new jobs is something to which farming has been losing many jobs.

“Technology and industry jobs are higher paying and easier,” Carter said. “In Adams County we have few farms with young farmers coming into them. There are so many opportunities for them.”

The cost of starting your own farm restricts many from wanting to get into agriculture, Carter said.

“The start-up cost for a farm is pretty significant especially if you have to buy land,” Carter said. “Low profits and long hours—most farmers I know say you have to love it to do it.”

The burdens of farming are especially noticed by those who have family members in the business said Stevens.

“They realize the sacrifices farmers make,” Stevens said. “Many see it as a risky proposition, even those growing up in the area.”

Financial inconveniences are not the only things making the younger generation afraid of farming, Carter said.

“Growing crops, you have so many factors working against you,” Carter said. “It is a high-risk lifestyle.”

Incentives for young farmers are something Carter said some groups are working on to bolster the effort for a larger farming population.

“Groups like the Louisiana Farm Bureau are already offering benefits for new farmers,” Carter said. “A lot of conservation projects are receiving grants for their work.”

Carter said the decrease in number of new farmers shows more and more over time.

“America has always been a leader in agriculture,” he said. “Recently though, (America) has been having to import a lot more.”

A strong agricultural foundation is something Carter said a nation needs to be strong.

“Ten or 15 years from now, not having enough farmers could have a negative impact on our nation,” he said. “We certainly need to continue to work on this problem.”