Today’s AgNet News Hour featured a forward-looking conversation with fifth-generation farmer Jenny Lester Moffitt, now serving as Vice President of Farmland Protection and Strategic Priorities at American Farmland Trust, highlighting the critical need to keep farmers on the land and ensure the future of agriculture.
Moffitt, who grew up farming organic walnuts in Northern California, brings both policy and real-world farming experience to her role. Her work now centers on supporting farmers through some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today, ranging from land access and succession planning to long-term farm viability.
“We want to make sure that anyone who is looking to get into farming has the ability to do so,” Moffitt said. “A big part of that is keeping farmers on the land and looking at what that next generation transition looks like.”
A major focus of her work is helping farm families navigate the often-complex process of transitioning operations to the next generation. This includes everything from estate planning to business strategy, ensuring farms can remain productive and profitable for decades to come.
“We sit down at the kitchen table with farmers and look at the whole system of their operation,” she explained. “Farming is absolutely not in silos.”
Moffitt emphasized that agriculture must be viewed as a complete system, where water, labor, markets, land use, and environmental stewardship all play interconnected roles. That holistic approach is key to maintaining both productivity and sustainability.
The conversation also highlighted the increasing pressure farmers face in California, including regulatory challenges, rising costs, and competition from lower-cost imports. Moffitt acknowledged the need to better recognize and compensate farmers for the broader value they provide beyond just food production.
“How do we bring new revenue streams for farmers so they are compensated for all the benefits they provide?” she said, pointing to areas like soil health, water quality, and environmental stewardship.
Another key theme was the importance of education and leadership development in agriculture. Moffitt credited programs like FFA and 4-H with shaping future leaders in the industry, emphasizing their role in building communication skills, responsibility, and real-world experience.
“Leadership values, public speaking, and understanding how to navigate different situations—those are all taught through these programs,” she said.
Moffitt also stressed the importance of connecting policymakers with agriculture by bringing them directly onto farms. “There is incredible value in walking the field and having those conversations,” she noted.
Despite ongoing challenges, Moffitt remains optimistic about the future of agriculture, particularly if farmers, communities, and policymakers work together to strengthen the industry.
“Thank you to everyone out there doing the work,” she said. “What you do is so important to all of us.”
Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.
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