Learning on a global platform

Learning on a global platform

Iowa farmer studying multigenerational farm succession practices through the Nuffield International Scholar Program.

As a sixth-generation farmer, Hans Riensche has a natural interest in the legacy of farms being passed from one generation to the next.

The 25-year-old Black Hawk County Farm Bureau member is spending this year broadening his understanding of how families "profitably, sustainably and equitably" transition multigenerational farming enterprises from generation to generation - not only in the United States but also worldwide - through the Nuffield International Farming Scholarship program.

"For those fortunate enough to return to a family farm, there is always the challenge of keeping that farm in your family and making room for the (next) generation," said Riensche. "If I can be part of helping find answers for our own farm and our entire community as well, I think that's a great thing to try and chase after."

Riensche is one of four scholars from the U.S. selected for the international study program in 2024. The Nuffield scholarships provide research opportunities for farmers and others involved in agriculture to study farming or agribusiness operations worldwide and share their findings with the broader agricultural community. Iowa Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the scholarship, along with the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Soybean Association.

Riensche said he heard about the Nuffield scholarship as a student at Iowa State University, fueling his interest in learning from other farmers around the world.

A global perspective

The year-long program involves an extensive international study component, allowing scholars to explore diverse farming systems and cultures. Riensche's itinerary includes visits to Australia, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Georgia, a small country located between Russia and Turkey.

By studying vastly different en­vironments in countries with agriculture systems and cultures that are similar to the U.S., as well as those with significant differences, Riensche said he aims to gain a broad perspective on farm transition practices.

"It's going to be an opportunity to get a wide breadth of exposure to different farming communities and different farming styles, especially when you think about the environment in which they farm - not only the physical environment but also the political and geopolitical environment as well," he said.

Riensche grew up on his family's corn and soybean farm near Jesup in northeast Iowa. He at­tended Iowa State University, majoring in agricultural business and international agriculture with minors in agronomy and food and society.

His ultimate goal is to carve out a full-time role on his family's farm by bringing new ideas and enterprises to the operation, such as higher-value niche crops, improving biodiversity and reducing environmental impact.

His interest in farm transition issues stemmed from the seeming contradiction of two facts - that fewer people are wanting to return to agriculture, yet a significant number young people who want to farm are unable to find a place in their family operation.

"It's always puzzled me that those two things coexist. You have people who want to come back and don't have a place, and there's places that want people and you can't get them to come back."

He emphasized the importance of looking beyond the U.S. for solutions.

"It's a global issue that we're facing," he said. "We should look internationally at the way that other people in other places in the world tackle the same problem."

Riensche said one of the highlights of his experience so far has been connecting with other Nuffield Scholars from around the world, which has given him a deeper appreciation for how farmers operate under different systems in different countries.

"It's fascinating to see how their operations work, and I think it gives me a better understanding of the companies we do business with on a daily basis," he said.

Already, he's discovered significant differences in how farm transition practices vary globally and how private property is viewed in the United States compared to other counties.

Nuffield Scholars are required to compile a report of their findings, which will be published by the Nuffield Foundation. Riensche said he's also looking forward to sharing the results of his research with farmers, agriculture groups and universities.

"The goal is to make it as widely available as possible," he said.

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