A recent survey conducted by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) at the 2025 Iowa FFA Annual Conference revealed that 62 percent of students are interested in farming in the future, however, nearly half (47 percent) of these students expressed concerns about high start-up costs.

The CSIF survey, now in its 20th year, offered insight into students’ perspectives on the future of farming and the challenges young people face when pursuing agricultural careers. Notably, 61 percent of participants currently live on a farm.

FFA provides students with valuable ...