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May 4, 2026 BrownfieldAgNews reports: Researchers at Auburn University are studying how lender relationships directly impact farm business decisions. Rural sociologist Kelli Russell tells Brownfield that middle-aged farmers prioritize working with knowledgeable lenders they trust. "I'm getting what I feel like is an honest, trusted answer from this person, and I know that it may not be the best interest rate that I could get, but it's going to be really close, and I'm not sacrificing having that partner advisor relationship," she says farmers value. Ag economist Mykel Taylor says every financial decision in a difficult farm economy is important, and positive relationships help producers feel supported. "It lets the farmer not feel like they're isolated in making these decisions because they will say that these are the kinds of decisions that could make or break my farm, and I don't want to be the only one trying to make these decisions on my own," she shares. Taylor says farmers who don't believe a lender understands their business or has enough experience can face more stress and financial challenges. "I think one of the things that is going to be a challenge for the lending relationship is just going to be the turnover that we see over the next 5 to 10 years in terms of retirements of experienced lenders," she says. "Lenders who've been through periods of time that we mark as big booms and big busts, whether they experienced the 80s directly or worked with people that did." Russell says farmers in the middle, aged 35 to 50, often said good years were more than profitable, the farm was able to make continuous improvements. Bad years, she says, were defined by also experiencing unpredictable events like weather or issues with family. Producers of diverse commodities across Montana, Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama are participating in Auburn's Farmers in the Middle Project. Tweet |
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