Wisconsin farm bankruptcies increased in 2025

Farm bankruptcies in Wisconsin increased by 700% in 2025. Sixteen Wisconsin farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy protection in 2025, compared to just two farms in 2024. Chapter 12 bankruptcy serves as a last-resort financial tool specifically designed for family farmers and fishermen facing overwhelming debt. Congressional aid has provided farmers with some relief, but it’s not enough to recover from losses and rising costs.  The USDA predicts that farm debt in the U.S. will rise 5.2% in 2026, to reach a total of $624.7 billion.