Local farmers are having a tough time passing their farms onto the younger generation.

Steve Saufley inherited his farm from his parents, but now he says it's more difficult to transition from one generation to the next.

"It's gonna be a challenge for the younger generation to say, convince some of the older generation 'hey it's our turn, it's time for us to step up," said Saufley.

He said another challenge is many young people don't want to go into farming. Another farmer said he already knows his children won't take over the family business.

"Young people don't want to come back because they can do other things, make more money, work weekends off, and a better lifestyle than farming so those that are still farming, it's in their blood and their love for the land," said local farmer, Carl Arey.

And if younger people do take over, Saufley said farming is going to be harder for them.

"I think there's gonna be some challenges. In the fact that they have to learn to deal with a different environment than some of us older folks did."

Saufley said one problem that younger farmers may face today is dealing with easements. That means there's a restriction that the farmer wouldn't be able to build or expand as much on a piece of land.

"Let's just say he bought a farm and decides 'oh hey I don't want to do beef farming altogether, I would like to raise poultry' but if the easement doesn't allow for that, then he's very much restricted on what he can do," said Saufley.

Saufley also said that a different economy will impact the future of farming. Land is now more expensive, so it will be tougher for young people to finance a farm.

"All the lands that you see out there now have been preserved by farmers, who in the past were able to make a living, support their family and keep up things. Today it is more challenging than ever."

Farmers are also saying that there needs to be more agricultural education. They said young people won't take over these farms if they don't understand the importance.

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