Iowa FFA Students See Bright Future for Agriculture Despite Industry Challenges

06-16-2026 in Article

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – June 16, 2026 – A new survey from the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) found Iowa FFA students remain optimistic about agriculture’s future, with 90% reporting a positive or very positive outlook for the industry in Iowa.

Sophomore, Layne Vaske, in the Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA Chapter explained that she is “optimistic about the future of agriculture in Iowa because of what [she has] seen in [her] classes and clubs.” Additionally, she believes that “as much as there is a gap currently in ages, we are seeing a new wave of young people & are most likely to see that continue the next few years.”

This survey offers insight into the perceptions and perceived barriers for current Iowa students ranging from 13 to 19 years old. The survey found that 64 percent of students currently live on a farm involving crops, livestock, a combination of both, or other agricultural operations. Of those surveyed, 71 percent responded that they would want to continue or start farming, while an additional 15 percent said they were interested in entering the workforce in an agricultural related career. However, 68 students’ primary obstacle for not wanting to pursue a farming career was due to the high start-up costs associated with the industry.

Despite the high start-up costs, the future of agriculture remains strong within Iowa, as only 9 percent of students reported that they planned to pursue careers outside the agricultural industry. In addition, 104 students shared that they planned to stay and work within the state of Iowa, helping to strengthen the future of Iowa’s agricultural industry and workforce. This commitment aligns with the FFA mission of developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

In pursuit of future professional success, the majority of students (88 percent) disclosed that they plan to seek higher education by attaining a technical degree, a two-year degree, or a four-year degree or higher. Of that 88 percent, an outstanding 66 percent indicated that they planned to obtain a traditional four-year degree or higher rather than obtaining a technical or two-year degree.

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