WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced a more than $46 million investment in projects supporting America’s veteran, underserved, and beginning farmers and ranchers to help aspiring producers enter the business and improve their skills and knowledge to sustain their operations for years to come.
“Starting or taking over a farm takes courage, and USDA wants to make sure our next generation of farmers have the resources and support they deserve to take that leap,” said Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing investments to support beginning, underserved, and veteran farmers with technical assistance and mentoring to build successful operations. These partnerships with local experts help ensure all farmers and ranchers have fair access to USDA's programs and market opportunities.”
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the average age of all U.S. farm producers was 58.1, up 0.6 years from 2017, and more than one-third are 65 or older. This continues a long-term trend of aging in the U.S. producer population.
USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and 2501 Program provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to help underserved, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. These investments also help provide equitable participation in USDA agricultural programs.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Grants
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The 46 projects funded at $23.7 million include:
Washington Farmland Trust will recruit and provide 50 beginning producers with personalized technical assistance and connect them with landowners who are ready to transition their farmland to a new operation and ultimately allow beginning producers to establish or expand their farm businesses.