University of Kentucky
Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Kentucky's Aging Farmers
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Deborah Reed; Deborah Claunch
Abstract
The average age of the American worker is 39; the average age of American farmers is 55.8 and climbing. Farmers over age 50 are the principal operators on 64% of KY’s 86,541 farms. In addition, 22,408 persons in this age cohort report farming as a secondary occupation, thus nearly 56,000 Kentucky citizens are engaged in agricultural production. This report is based on two waves of a five-year study, funded by CDC/NIOSH, on the work and health of farmers ages 50 and over in Kentucky. Of the 1,189 participants, 44.1% reported holding an off-farm job in addition to their farm work. They averaged 34 hours per week on the off-farm job, with those above age 74 working 23 hours compared to 37 hours for the 50-64 year age group. Across all ages farm income accounted for about 1/3 of total household income. Off farm income was considered essential to support farm operations, acquire health insurance, and to provide for future expenses. Leading health conditions across all age groups included arthritis (47%), hypertension (37%), back problems (25%), and hearing problems (24%). In spite of potentially debilitating health conditions, Kentucky’s aging farmers continue to work at least two jobs in order to sustain their farming and to afford health insurance. Attention should be given to alternative ways for farmers to obtain affordable health insurance and to sustain their agricultural operations without the stress of multi-jobholding.
Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Kentucky's Aging Farmers
The average age of the American worker is 39; the average age of American farmers is 55.8 and climbing. Farmers over age 50 are the principal operators on 64% of KY’s 86,541 farms. In addition, 22,408 persons in this age cohort report farming as a secondary occupation, thus nearly 56,000 Kentucky citizens are engaged in agricultural production. This report is based on two waves of a five-year study, funded by CDC/NIOSH, on the work and health of farmers ages 50 and over in Kentucky. Of the 1,189 participants, 44.1% reported holding an off-farm job in addition to their farm work. They averaged 34 hours per week on the off-farm job, with those above age 74 working 23 hours compared to 37 hours for the 50-64 year age group. Across all ages farm income accounted for about 1/3 of total household income. Off farm income was considered essential to support farm operations, acquire health insurance, and to provide for future expenses. Leading health conditions across all age groups included arthritis (47%), hypertension (37%), back problems (25%), and hearing problems (24%). In spite of potentially debilitating health conditions, Kentucky’s aging farmers continue to work at least two jobs in order to sustain their farming and to afford health insurance. Attention should be given to alternative ways for farmers to obtain affordable health insurance and to sustain their agricultural operations without the stress of multi-jobholding.