A recent survey says student loan debt is stopping more young people from entering agriculture.
The National Young Farmers Coalition found 30 percent of respondents delayed or declined to enter agriculture because of student loans. The survey also said 48 percent were unable to grow their business or obtain credit for their farm because of student debt.
Eric Hansen, policy analyst for the National Young Farmers Coalition, says student loan forgiveness could allow more young people to become farmers and ranchers.
“We hear from our members all the time that student loan debt is either keeping them from growing their farms or keeping people from being able to enter farming at all .”
Survey respondents on average had $35,000 in student loans. Over 700 coalition members were surveyed for the report.
Source: www.brownfieldagnews.com