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Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Based at KCUR in Kansas City, Harvest covers these agriculture-related topics through an expanding network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest.Most Harvest Public Media stories begin with radio- regular reports are aired on member stations in the Midwest. But Harvest also explores issues through online analyses, television documentaries and features, podcasts, photography, video, blogs and social networking. They are committed to the highest journalistic standards. Click here to read their ethics standards.Harvest Public Media was launched in 2010 with the support of a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Today, the collaboration is supported by CPB, the partner stations, and contributions from underwriters and individuals.Tri States Public Radio is an associate partner of Harvest Public Media. You can play an important role in helping Harvest Public Media and Tri States Public Radio improve our coverage of food, field and fuel issues by joining the Harvest Network.

Changing Lands, Changing Hands

Ray Meints for NET News

The five-part series Changing Lands, Changing Hands takes a look at the aging of the American farmer.

In 1978, the average age of the American farmer was just over 50.  In 2007, it was creeping toward 60, at just over 57-years-old.

What does that mean for the agriculture industry? Harvest Public Media went to answer that question by focusing on this massive demographic shift that affects not just rural America but the power and potential of an entire industry.

You can check out the series on the Harvest Public Media website.

In Part 1 of the series, Grant Gerlock checks in on the fastest growing group of farmers in the US – those age 65 or older.

In Part 2, Amy Mayer reports on family farms in transition.

In Part 3, Abbie Fentress Swanson looks at how some Americans use retirement to begin their farming dream.

In Part 4, Bill Wheelhouse takes us to a rural farm town in western Illinois where civic responsibilities weigh heaviest on those who are the oldest.

In Part 5, Luke Runyon examines whether young people even want to farm anymore.