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Working to connect retiring farmers with veterans

With the average age of the American farmer increasing, veteran groups are working to connect retiring farmers with veterans interested in farming.

Adam Ingrao, the founder of the Michigan Farmer Veteran Coalition says a successful transition requires succession planning.  But, he tells Brownfield there are additional challenges in succession planning when it doesn’t involve family members.

Ingrao says he’d like to see Congress help ease the process with provisions added to the 2018 Farm Bill.  “Maybe we incentivize the succession planning process with tax incentives for landowners to make those lands still accessible to farmer veterans – but also give those who are selling the land their fair market value,” he says.  “And at least accommodate them in a way that makes it easier for them to transition those lands to farmer veterans.”

Ingrao spoke to Brownfield at the recent Farm Bill Field Hearing in Michigan.

AUDIO: Adam Ingrao, Lansing farmer

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