A modern farm is a dynamic workplace that uses innovative technologies, such as irrigation via mobile phones. However, only about 7 percent of all agricultural holdings in Europe are ran by farmers under 35 years of age. Therefore, the EU has a number of programmes aimed at encouraging young people to become the next generation of European farmers. For example, funding is available through the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which helps young farmers to establish and develop their activities. Support is available to farmers who open their first self-employment and have less than 40 years in the time of applying with funding that can be granted for a maximum of five years.

Young farmers are encouraged by additional support for direct payments in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while state authorities should add 2 percent of the total allocation to allow direct payments in order to offer young farmers a 25 percent bonus, which is the highest rate available for direct financial assistance during the first five years of work in the sector. Young farmers also have the advantage of getting financial support of direct payments from national / regional reserves.

In addition, the rural development programs of the CAP in each EU country, often provides additional measures to help young farmers to unlock their potential, which also includes advisory services for farms that are set up for the first time. Encouragement is also available in other forms - for example, young farmers are more likely to engage in innovation to develop their business. Many of the programs run by the European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) were established to promote the use of innovative techniques to increase production and reduce costs.

A recent survey of more than two thousand farmers under the age of 40, in all 28 EU countries, suggests that young farmers are in the greatest need to easier access of land for buying or renting, needing financial subventions, access to loans and a sufficiently skilled working force.