In India and Brazil’s rural villages, smallholder families are transforming their farms from subsistence to surplus, conserving hundreds of millions of liters of water and diversifying their crops for improved income and nutrition. This transformation is the result of a farmer-centered model we developed at The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems, which integrates sustainable productivity growth, education, nutrition, and long-term investments in local capacity building.
Through our signature program, the Villages program, we have worked with local partners — the S. M. Sehgal Foundation in India and Mandu in Brazil — to improve the lives and livelihoods of more than 780,000 smallholder farmers, their families, and community members, according to internal project evaluations.
Now, we are bringing this approach to American farming to address challenges facing young farmers in the U.S.
In partnership with Chicago-based Farm Foundation and additional support from the PepsiCo Foundation, the new FarmPath program adapts The Mosaic Company Foundation’s global model to the challenges facing farmers in this country.
The next generation of farmers in the United States faces a complex and evolving set of challenges. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, farmland affordability remains the top barrier, with rising land prices and increased competition from non-agricultural buyers. Young farmers often struggle to access capital and credit, especially those burdened by student loan debt. Limited availability of health care, child care, and affordable housing in rural areas further impedes their ability to build sustainable livelihoods.
These economic pressures are intensified for those who do not come from farming families and lack the intergenerational knowledge transfer that has traditionally sustained agricultural communities. As a result, beginner farmers are more likely to operate smaller farms, earn less from farming, and rely more heavily on off-farm income.
Even for young farmers who inherit land and legacy, the path forward is far from simple. Research from Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture highlights the challenges of modernizing operations, navigating complex succession planning, and adapting to new environmental and market realities — all while preserving family traditions and financial viability.
According to the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, the average age of U.S. farmers has risen to 58 years, with more than one-third over the retirement age of 65. As these producers exit the industry, the question looms: How can we help the next generation navigate the complex challenges of climate change, market volatility, and natural resource stewardship?
I believe the lessons we have learned through our global partnerships can help us address urgent challenges at home.
Over the past two decades, the foundation has invested in sustainable agriculture programs to transform communities. Internal evaluations show that in India, the Krishi Jyoti project has increased crop yields by up to 35%, captured and conserved 700 million liters of water for agricultural and household use, and refurbished 20 schools, each serving hundreds of students per year.
Similar evaluations reveal that in Brazil, the Villages program has helped farming families evolve from subsistence farming to thriving agri-entrepreneurs.
These programs succeed because they are farmer-centered, community-focused, and designed to scale. We collaborate with knowledgeable local partners and prioritize building trust with community members to ensure sustained impact. We work purposefully, focusing on long-term partnerships that help farmers become self-sufficient, capable of thriving over the long term.
Our approach is driven by outcomes — measurable indicators of changes that improve the lives of families and the vitality of rural communities.
FarmPath follows this model with targeted outcomes that include:
• Increasing the success rate of farmers who are just starting out by equipping them with mentorship, planning tools, and practical pathways to accomplishing their goals.
• Accelerating intergenerational knowledge transfer by connecting new farmers with mentors and experts, preserving critical skills and networks over the long term.
• Building a supportive community with a cohort-based approach grounded in shared experiences and mutual support.
• Scaling sustainable practices and natural resource use through hands-on and virtual training.
Our local implementing partner, Farm Foundation, is leveraging its diverse network of experienced farmers, partners, and experts to develop and implement farmer-centric solutions for the young people who are the core of our future food systems.
The stakes are high. Food systems — be they local or global — face risks that are increasing in severity, frequency, and complexity. The challenges of aging workforces, climate disruption, and lack of access to resources are not confined to any one region. Whether in Rajasthan, India, or rural Illinois, the goal is the same: help farmers reach their full potential and strive for food systems that are resilient, equitable, and sustainable.
To learn more about FarmPath and register to receive information about applying for the program, visit the Farm Foundation’s website: farmfoundation.org.
About the author
Ben Pratt
Ben Pratt is vice president of public affairs at The Mosaic Company, leading global communications and corporate social responsibility. He has served as president of The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems since its founding.
