04/09/2026
We’ve spent a lot of time praising how resilient farmers are.
And they are.
But resilience shouldn’t be a requirement to survive.
Farmers are expected to absorb:
• rising fuel and fertilizer costs
• volatile markets
• weather risk
• increasing regulation
All while producing affordable food for the rest of the country.
At some point, that stops working.
There is a breaking point.
And when we hit it, it won’t just affect farmers, it will affect every single person who eats.
Fewer farms means:
• more consolidation
• more reliance on imports
• higher food prices
• less food security
So what do we actually do about it?
We stop just talking about resilience and start fixing the system:
• Increase competition in processing
Break up bottlenecks so producers have more than a handful of buyers.
• Strengthen risk management tools
Crop insurance and safety nets should reflect real-world costs, not outdated numbers.
• Support domestic production infrastructure
Invest in regional processing, feedlots, and supply chains so we’re not dependent on a few large players.
• Address input cost volatility
Look at policies impacting fertilizer, fuel, and equipment costs that are squeezing margins.
• Protect working lands
Tax and land-use policies should keep farms in productionnot push them toward development.
• Balance regulation with reality
Protect natural resources while recognizing that farmers are already operating under strict oversight.
We don’t need more praise.
We need real solutions.
Because if the people producing our food can’t stay in business, the consequences won’t stay on the farm.
