In the final days of Biden's presidency, farmers are facing 'brutalized' conditions as costs 'skyrocket'.

Some farmers have expressed concerns that American agriculture is struggling due to inflation and a lack of sound economic policy under the Biden-Harris administration, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital in recent interviews.

Currently, the agriculture sector is experiencing a recession, according to Brent Johnson, a farmer and president of the Iowa Farm Bureau, who made the statement over the weekend.

"Negative balance sheets and job losses have made it extremely difficult."

The current administration's lack of new trade deals is causing soaring costs to cripple farmers and slow the international market for American-grown food, said Johnson.

John Boyd, a Virginia farmer and founder of the National Black Farmers Association in Virginia, stated in a phone interview that it's not necessary for someone to have a PhD to understand that the math is incorrect and that action must be taken to address the situation.

He stated that the price of diesel is currently $5 a gallon, which is likely an increase from the $2 a gallon it cost five years ago.

"Despite the increase in all other costs, the prices for corn and soybeans have decreased."

Since the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Jan. 2021, Boyd stated that the costs of fertilizer, seed, feed, diesel, and labor have doubled.

The economics "make it very difficult to stay alive."

If elected in November, Donald Trump has stated that he will cancel every Biden administration policy that he considers "brutalizing our farmers" within hours of taking office, alongside Harris and Walz on the Democratic ticket.

Boyd stated that the economics make it challenging to survive, and the administration has not been proactive in assisting.

Boyd played a key role in securing $2 billion in direct aid for Black and minority farmers who faced discrimination in federal farm programs.

The White House's most prominent initiative to support farm owners will enable more farmers and ranchers to achieve financial stability, contribute to economic growth, and pursue their aspirations, according to a July 31 statement.

"We're facing challenges, and we've been losing farmers nationwide," said Boyd.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that approximately 6,000 farms closed, which is part of a long-standing trend.

The issues facing businesses today go beyond the fundamental principles of financial statements.

Aging population of farmers

"According to Boyd, when farms shut down, there is a shortage of young individuals taking their place."

The Nebraska Farmers Network was formed due to the aging population of farmers being one of the major issues.

Nebraska farmers and ranchers have a median age of 56.9 years old, while the average age of a Nebraska landowner is 67 years old, according to the group's website.

In recent years, many young adults who were once part of the farming community have chosen to pursue higher education instead of continuing in the family agriculture business.

"It doesn’t take somebody with a PhD to figure out that the math isn’t working."

Gabe Sanchez, co-founder of the Nebraska Farmers Network, revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that a whole generation of farmers was skipped.

Younger adults now believe that a college education isn't worth the investment.

"Sanchez stated that there are many young individuals ready to perform the labor, but what they have lost is the farmland,"

The Nebraska Farmers Network was established last year as a response to major issues contributing to the farm crisis. Its members contend that these problems stem from government failures and the dangerous consequences of global investment.

According to Sanchez, a group of interests, comprising foreign nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Canada, as well as affluent investors like Bill Gates, have acquired vast amounts of farmland across the country.

He stated that they view land solely as a means of investment and not for its inherent worth.

The high taxes resulting from non-agricultural investments in productive soil make it difficult for farmers to turn a profit and afford farmland.

Sanchez stated that farmers are operating on a thin profit and their profit is decreasing.

Negligent government, he said, is a big part of the problem.

Sanchez stated that these outside entities are evading vaguely defined and weakly enforced federal and state laws that forbid foreign investment.

"And nobody’s doing anything about it."

Farming's future

The National Black Farmers Association's Boyd stated that the farming crisis is prompting a historically heavy Democratic voting bloc to reconsider their options.

"Boyd stated that his demographic group typically votes Democrat, with a possible percentage of 90% or higher."

I'm not sure if it will continue this way in the future. The Trump campaign has an opportunity to act here, and I believe they should do it more forcefully.

He expressed hope to learn about farming's future plans from both campaigns.

"We’re all facing trouble."

Sanchez said Nebraska farmers are solidly voting for Trump.

Trump's re-election could lead to a more aggressive defense of American farmers and farmland, as he fears that foreign investment in real estate may have ulterior motives beyond just making money.

Sanchez stated that Henry Kissinger once said, "Control the food, control the people."

American farmers deserve to be treated fairly by whoever is in office, according to Boyd.

"The country was built by farmers, and we are the greatest in the world," he declared.

"This country's infrastructure was constructed by farmers, and now we're all facing difficulties. Unfortunately, the current figures don't align."