As need for younger farmers grows in CO, program helps them start new families

LONGMONT, Colo. — The average age of a farmer in Colorado is 58. After some digging, Denver7 discovered that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2022 census , over 17,000 farmers in Colorado are over the age of 65, while fewer than 5,000 are under 35.

This significant age gap suggests a need to support younger farmers to ensure their success as producers.

As a solution to this issue, the Flatiron Farmers Coalition — a nonprofit based in Boulder — has launched a program aimed at easing the transition for new farming families entering parenthood. By offering small grants and workshops, the coalition looks to help these families maintain their farming operations while navigating the challenges of parenthood. Helen Skiba and Nelson Esseveld had daughter, Margot, last Augu