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Pork producer says inflation is slowing farm expansion

An Illinois pork producer says the high cost of building materials is a hurdle for any farmer looking to expand their operation.

Josh Maschhoff of Nashville tells Brownfield, “After the pandemic we’ve seen inflation and rising costs of material goods which is cost prohibitive to producers that want to add to their operation through new construction.”

He says that is also preventing new producers from entering the market and the next generation from returning to the farm.  

“It’s not really set up very well to allow family farms to bring that next generation back if they can’t continue to support more families on their same homestead.”

He says beginning farmers especially need continued support through lending agreements and loan programs.