Farming is capital intensive. That’s one among many barriers to young farmers trying to break into farming and also an obstacle to transfer of farm property outside of families and a contributor to the loss of farm land.

The National Young Farmers Coalition* wants to see farming included in the list of public service occupations eligible for loan forgiveness. On the upside, it would help young people moving into farming. Student loan debt can be a barrier to financing other farm related expenses. On the other hand, the change would broaden the program’s definition in a way that raises program integrity questions because farming is not a non-profit activity and there is ownership and assets involved.

What do you think, should farming be covered? Why or why not?

*I’m on the NYFC advisory council but am not involved on this issue.