Beginning farmers and ranchers are a growing and often overlooked group in agriculture, and at the 2026 Oklahoma City Farm Show, Oklahoma State University Extension’s Josh Campbell highlighted just how much support—and guidance—they need to succeed with senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays.
Campbell said the demand for information is clear. “Yeah, absolutely, there’s a real need out there,” he explained, noting that Oklahoma actually exceeds the national average. “In Oklahoma, we have 2% more than the national average in terms of beginning farmers and ranchers,” he said, adding that many newcomers are navigating agriculture for the first time and “just have lots of questions, everything from USDA programs to state-level programs and just needing education.”
He also clarified a common misconception about who qualifies as a beginner. “A beginning farmer and rancher is anyone who has operated their farm or ranch for less than 10 years,” Campbell said. “It has nothing to do with age.” In fact, the data often surprises people. “The average age of a beginning farmer/rancher is 47,” he said, explaining that many are entering agriculture later in life as a second career or lifestyle change.
Those new to agriculture often start with the same fundamental question: what now? “They’ve inherited land, moved from out of state, or finally had enough money to buy their small farm,” Campbell said. “Then they start to ask questions about how they can best manage it to be profitable.” He emphasized that OSU Extension works with producers on “everything from goal setting to business planning and enterprise analysis” to help ensure their operations can generate a return.
A key part of that effort is connecting people with the wide range of available resources. “There are so many resources out there for folks that are in farming and ranching,” Campbell said, pointing to USDA agencies, universities, career techs, and conservation districts. “Part of my role is just helping them understand all the resources that are there and how to navigate and connect.”
Campbell, who helped launch OSU’s beginning farmer and rancher program two years ago, said the goal is to build long-term success. “We are just establishing a portfolio of resources to support beginning farmers and ranchers here in Oklahoma,” he said. But he cautioned that the dream of rural life must be balanced with economic reality. “So many people want the farm life, and then the economics start to come into view,” he said. That’s why the program focuses on helping producers “have a profitable and sustainable model,” even if it’s not a full-time income.
Ultimately, success looks different for everyone. “Success is defined by the individual goals of each person,” Campbell said. “That’s really the first step when we get some clarity around what they’re trying to accomplish, it gives us the ability to make an action plan.”
