This short reader brings together observations from members of the Access to Land Network on generational renewal in farming across several European countries.
Across the different contexts, a similar picture emerges: many farmers are approaching retirement age while only a limited share of farms has a clear successor. The difficulty is not only demographic. Access to land, rising prices, and concentration of ownership repeatedly appear as obstacles for people who want to start farming.
The document also shows that policy responses differ widely. Some countries have developed targeted measures, while others mainly rely on general agricultural support schemes, which often reach established farms more easily than newcomers.
Rather than offering a full analysis, the reader provides a shared overview of patterns observed within the network. It is meant as a starting point for discussion on how land policies and support measures could better enable a next generation of farmers.