Shaffer Ridgeway News Today

The latest Ag Census data show alarming trends in the upper Mississippi River basin, one of the most intensive agricultural areas in the country: Less diverse farmers, more and more farms are going out of business, and farmland is being consolidated, making it even more difficult to get into the industry.

Ag experts optimistic about increase in young farmers.

Looking at photos of 10 agricultural groups showed nearly all members appear to be white and about three-quarters appear to be men. The imbalance is troubling to some farmers.

The Gazette looked at the boards of 10 agricultural groups at the state and national levels and found, by looking at individual and group photographs, nearly all of the members appear to be white and about three-quarters appear to be men.