New Legislation: What you need to know about the Young and Beginning Farmers Act

What is it?A bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Sean Patrick Maloney, NY-18 and Ryan Costello, PA-6, onNov. 4.Why is it relevant?Now more than ever, young farmers and ranchers are struggling to get their foot in the door of agriculture. The average age of farmers in the U.S. is 60 years old and steadily increasing. This upward trend in age raises concern, leaving the question who will take control as these producers age out? As young producers strive to be the next generation of farmers and ranchers they come up against barriers making their goals next to impossible. For example, limited access to affordable farmland and low interest loans are working against young producers. These barriers to young producers must be addressed for the sake of the agriculture industry and rural communities.What would it do?Address three primary areas of concern for young farmers: access to land, USDA programs for young and beginning farmers and investments in local and regional food systems.

1. The bill will improve land access by making it easier for land trusts to protect farmland for beginning farmers.
2. The bill will help to speed up the process for beginning farmers to qualify for USDA resources that make it easier to acquire farmland, and increasing the USDA Direct Loan limit. It will also develop new resources at USDA like self-service portals and regional coordinators for beginning farmer support, reauthorize the vital beginning farmer and rancher development program, and fund individual development accounts to help farmers save for purchases.
3. Finally, to improve local and regional food systems, the bill will fund the farmers market and local food promotion programs and establish a new farm viability grant program to help connect farmers with resources and experts.