Extension Service helps local farmers battle challenges
R U S S E L LV I L L E — Rochelle Rosales Aguilar, an Extension agent with the Farm and Agribusiness Management team, says farmers are facing mounting financial pressures while also adapting to new opportunities.
She said input costs for fertilizer, feed and chemicals remain high while crop prices are low, leaving many row crop farmers breaking even at best. Last year’s drought added to the strain, and even well-prepared farmers struggled.
“We recommend soil testing so farmers only buy what they need, and using tools like GIS to spray more efficiently,” Aguilar said. “We also encourage contracting crops earlier in the year to lock in prices before they drop in the fall.”
Access to markets is another barrier, particularly for smaller producers. Farmers markets can be limited or far away, but online options are growing.
“Having an online presence, even just a Facebook page, helps connect farmers with customers who might not otherwise know where to buy.”
Succession planning is a frequent challenge. Many new farmers are in their 40s or 50s often inheriting land unexpectedly after a parent passes away. Others face property issues when land being passed on from an heir was never properly divided.
“A lot of it comes down to communication within families. Sometimes there’s a plan in place, but other times people don’t know what contracts existed or how the land was supposed to be handled.”
Extension offers a range of workshops to help with farm management. Recent programs have focused on agricultural tax law and pasture, rangeland and forage insurance. An upcoming session in Franklin County will cover marketing meat at local markets.
Looking ahead, Aguilar said diversification is one of the biggest opportunities for local farms.
“I always recommend rotating crops and not relying on just one. For livestock, that can mean raising cattle but also adding goats or poultry.”
Direct-to-consumer sales, agritourism and specialty crops are also gaining ground. Aguilar said she has worked with farmers interested in microgreens and squash blossoms sold directly to restaurants.
“When a restaurant lists a farmer’s name on the menu, it’s free marketing.”
She also points to regenerative agriculture as an important but challenging option. Some farms are experimenting with no-till or partial till practices, cover crops and rotational grazing.
“The short-term profitability is usually the barrier. That first year can be hard because you might not see the same income right away. But in the long run it can help keep the soil healthy.”
Technology is also reshaping how small farms do business. Aguilar said tools like Square and Venmo make it easier to accept card or online payments, which broadens opportunities at farmers markets.
“Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so being able to take a card or mobile payment is important. Some of those apps also let you track sales and see patterns over time, which helps with planning.”
