USDA Announces Funding To Support Beginning Farmers

USDA recently announced the availability of more than $18 million in funding to help educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. This support is available through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), administered by USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

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“The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is critical for cultivating the next generation of farmers and ranchers, who will be integral to sustaining America’s agricultural future,” USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden says. “Leading community and service organizations are on the front lines when it comes to identifying and training new farmers and ranchers. Strong partnerships with these groups are the key to our success.”

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program awards grants to organizations implementing programs to train beginning farmers and ranchers, including workshops, educational teams, training, and technical assistance throughout the U.S.

Fiscal Year 2015 applications for BFRDP are due March 13, 2015. Eligible applicants are collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, including state cooperative Extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organization; colleges or universities (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate organization providing services to beginning farmers and ranchers.

At least 5% of the funds must go to projects that serve military veteran beginning farmers and ranchers, and at least 5% to projects that serve socially-disadvantaged, limited-resource, or farmworker audiences. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 24% of the federal funds requested.

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Priority topics are:

  • Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;
  • Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies;
  • Entrepreneurship and business training;
  • Financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit);
  • Natural resource management and planning;
  • Diversification and marketing strategies;
  • Curriculum development;
  • Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
  • Resources and referral;
  • Farm financial benchmarking;
  • Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
  • Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans;
  • Farm safety and awareness; and
  • Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.

NIFA will host a webinar for interested applicants on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, from 2 to 4 p.m. EST. No password or advance reservation is required. A recording will be posted on the NIFA website shortly after the event.

From 2009-2012, 145 awards have been made for more than $71 million through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Additional information about USDA support for new farmers and ranchers is available at www.usda.gov/newfarmers.

Funding for BFRDP program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

Source: USDA press release

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Avatar for Matt Matt says:

Money given to non-farmers (Again) to teach people how to farm who can’t afford to get into the industry?

Avatar for Wesley M. Keller Wesley M. Keller says:

For three years I have been searching for funding to start a small farm without any luck. Even the farm credit folks said no. I have had business loans before and paid them off, as well as personal and car loans. They say there is all kinds of help for farm start ups, if there is I have not found it.

Avatar for Southern Tier Farmer Southern Tier Farmer says:

Is this what agriculture has come to? A person can’t get into farming without a handout from the govt? Might as well go work for one of the corporate giants instead or just go on welfare as it would be easier.

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