WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including US veterans entering agricultural careers following their service.

“The next generation of farmers and ranchers hold the promise for future American agriculture and rural prosperity,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is providing our newest producers with the support they need to succeed and the educational resources to guide their operations on the path toward long-term sustainability and profitability.”

The funding is made available through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The program supports the professional development of producers through a range of activities and topics like managing capital, acquiring and managing land, and learning effective business and farming practices.

The BFRDP funds will support three types of projects:

• Standard Projects to new and established local and regional training, education outreach and technical assistance initiatives that address beginning farmers and ranchers’ unique local and regional needs.
• Educational Team Projects to develop seamless beginning farmer and rancher education programs by conducting evaluation, coordination and enhancement activities for standard projects and other non-funded beginning farmer programs.
• Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse to make educational curricula and training materials available to beginning farmers and ranchers and organizations who directly serve them.

According to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ag Census data, one-third of the United States’ 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65. The average age of US producers continues to increase.

“Ensuring there will be a new generation of beginning farmers and ranchers – regardless of age or production choice – is essential to the continuation of agricultural production in the United States,” said Manjit Misra, NIFA director. “Beginning farmers and ranchers have unique educational, training, technical assistance and outreach needs. Access to capital, land and knowledge that assists in ensuring profitability and sustainability are vital to farmers and ranchers in their first 10 years of operation.”