For generations, my family farmed with the hope that hard work, good land stewardship, and smart decisions would provide a stable living. But the economic reality of modern commodity farming tells a different story—one where costs keep rising, prices remain stagnant, and farmers are caught in an endless cycle of financial uncertainty.
When I took over our family farm, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But I believed that with smart management, good yields, and dedication, I could continue our family’s legacy. What I didn’t anticipate was just how impossible the numbers would become.
Skyrocketing Costs, Stagnant Prices
Farming is expensive. The cost of everything—fuel, seed, fertilizer, equipment, land rent—has risen dramatically in the past decade, yet the price we receive for our crops hasn’t kept pace.
Take fuel, for example. Diesel prices fluctuate wildly, but the trend is always upward. Tractors, combines, and irrigation systems don’t run on hopes and prayers—they require thousands of gallons of fuel per season. Fertilizer prices have doubled in some cases, spiking due to global supply chain disruptions. Equipment costs are another burden. A new combine can cost more than half a million dollars. Even used equipment comes with a staggering price tag.
Meanwhile, the price of commodities like rice, soybeans, and cotton—the backbone of Arkansas agriculture—has failed to keep up. While input costs soar, our ability to set the price of our crops is nonexistent. We’re price takers, not price makers, forced to accept whatever the market dictates, even when it barely covers production costs.
Debt: The Unspoken Reality
Farmers don’t talk much about debt, but it’s a reality for nearly every operation. Land payments, equipment loans, and operating lines of credit are necessary to keep a farm running. But debt piles up fast when input costs rise, and commodity prices stay low.
Many farmers are forced to gamble each year, borrowing against next year’s crop hoping that prices will improve. Some years, the gamble pays off. In other years, it leads to financial ruin. A few bad years in a row can push even the most experienced and well-managed farms to the brink.
Crop Insurance and the Illusion of Security
Some might think crop insurance is a safety net, but in reality, it’s a complicated system that often falls short. Policies rarely cover the full cost of a lost crop, so farmers are left absorbing much of the risk, even in years when droughts, floods, or hurricanes devastate yields.
Additionally, insurance doesn’t help when market prices drop. If we grow a crop successfully but the market tanks, we’re still left struggling to make ends meet. Unlike other industries that can adjust prices to reflect costs, farmers are at the mercy of global markets, government policies, and corporate buyers.
The Missing Farm Bill and Lack of Stability
The struggles farmers face today are made even worse by the lack of a current farm bill. Farm bills, which are meant to provide crucial support for farmers, rural communities, and food security, are supposed to be renewed every five years. But Congress has failed to pass a new one, leaving farmers in limbo.
Without a farm bill, key programs that help farmers manage risk, access credit, and navigate unpredictable markets remain uncertain. Conservation programs, crop insurance improvements, and disaster relief funding are all tied to stalled legislation. The absence of a farm bill creates unnecessary instability in an industry that already operates under extreme financial pressures. Farmers need predictable, long-term policies, not political gridlock that leaves us guessing year after year.
The Squeeze on Family Farms
Financial losses are often just a line on a spreadsheet for large corporate operations. But for family farms, a bad year—or a few in a row—can mean the difference between keeping the land or losing everything. Small and mid-sized farms are disappearing at an alarming rate, swallowed up by large agribusinesses that can weather financial downturns through sheer scale and political influence.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Policies that favor corporate consolidation, trade deals that undermine U.S. producers, and a lack of fair pricing structures all contribute to the crisis in agriculture.
If the federal government continues to fail us, states must step up. Arkansas and other agricultural states should pursue state-level farm bills that provide emergency relief, expand crop insurance, and invest in rural infrastructure. Programs that support diversified markets, independent processors, and regional food systems can help small and mid-sized farms break free from corporate-controlled supply chains. States must also strengthen property tax protections for family farms, fund conservation programs, and support beginning farmers to ensure agriculture remains viable for future generations.
I still believe in farming and in the resilience of rural America. Farming shouldn’t be a losing game. It’s time to rethink the system before more family farms disappear forever.
Comments