“It's Definitely a Good Time to Be a Farmer”: Understanding the Changing Dynamics of Successor Creation in Late Modern Society

Abstract

This article considers the implications of the wider systemic shift from modernity to late modernity for the process of intergenerational farm transfer. The article argues that the shift from the collective to the individual, indicative of late modern society, is particularly pertinent in the context of intergenerational transfer, which has long been rooted in collective thinking. Drawing on the perspectives of incumbent farmers and potential successors, the article utilizes results from semistructured interviews with 29 farmers and 19 potential successors in Devon, England. Using a thematic analysis, the article provides a nuanced understanding of the impact of the systemic shift and the associated emphasis on the individual on successor identification. Although the article reaffirms understanding of successor creation as a collective process, determined by factors such as gender and birth order, it also identifies an emergent cohort of younger potential successors, for whom succession was the outcome of an evaluation of farming as a career. It concludes that, within the case study area, modernization is changing the way in which farm children are identifying themselves as "the successor." The article suggests how this increasingly judicious approach to succession leaves reproduction of the family farm increasingly vulnerable to negative externalities.

Becoming a Young Farmer in the Digital Age—An Island Perspective*

“…The authors explain this change with growing interests toward “lifestyle‐farming” or “sustainable farming” practices among individuals. Third, recent farm entry studies capture a “new farm identity” construction mechanism among farm successors (Chiswell and Lobley 2018). As discussed within the “new farmer identity” (Xie 2021) concept, which is mainly based on identity theory (Stryker 1994), individuals' perception toward their behavior cannot be separated from their self‐conception, and these perceptions play an important role in understanding how cognitive dimensions shape attitudes toward careers.…”

Young Farmers in “The New World of Work”: The Contribution of New Media to the Work Engagement and Professional Identities*

“…To measure work engagement, we used Ultrich's scale (Schaufeli and Bakker 2004). The recent literature on the farmer's professional identity (Chiswell and Lobley 2018;Riley and Robertson 2021;Sergi and Bonneau 2016; Unay-Gailhard and Simões 2022) was used as a base for the development of statements for professional identity. The respondents were asked to rate the eight statements on a seven-point scale ranging from "never" to "always".…”

“…Recent rural sociology studies focusing on the changing nature of farm entry and farm work have captured a “new farm identity”among farmers in the digital age (Chiswell and Lobley 2018; Riley and Robertson 2021; Unay‐Gailhard and Simões 2022; Xie 2021).…”

Which variables influence the succession process in family farms? A literature review

“…For example, "The son's response to being asked if he thinks his parents expected him to take over the farm suggests that he 'simply knew' without them having to be explicit" (Fischer and Burton, 2014). According to this topic, Chiswell and Lobley (2018) mentioned that in the past, potential successors were usually male and the eldest son. Nowadays, younger potential successors carefully analyze career decisions, during which farming is subject to the same scrutiny as other nonagricultural opportunities; in this context, communication plays an important role.…”

“…Another cultural aspect has to do with leaving the farm to a man instead of a woman, a pattern that was repeated several times (Downey et al, 2016;Fischer and Burton, 2014;Hautaniemi and Gutmann, 2006;Tsutsumi, 2001). In this regard, gender and the perception of gender roles play a crucial decision-making role for incumbent males to pass on their farms to women (Chiswell and Lobley, 2018;Tetteh and Boehlje, 2019). Gender discrimination is still a major issue worldwide and it plays a major role in farm and land succession in agriculture (Pitts et al, 2009).…”