By Allison Jenkins

Accessing capital can be difficult for farmers in any stage of their careers, but it can be a major barrier to entry for young and beginning farmers. With nearly half of the United States’ farmland expected to change hands over the next two decades as aging farmers retire, legislators are recognizing the need to ensure those acres remain in agricultural production.

Addressing the needs of emerging farmers is among priorities in 2023 Farm Bill negotiations. Another legislative action is the recent Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act, introduced in the U.S. House in June. The bill would authorize $100 million over 10 years, extending a 2022 USDA program that awarded grants to projects targeting underserved producers.

While the outcome of such pending legislation is yet to be seen, many other existing resources are available to support young and beginning farmers now.

• The USDA provides a variety of programs and services for beginning farmers, defined as anyone who has operated a farm for less than 10 years. Find an overview here: farmers.gov/your-business/beginning-farmers

• The federal Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations working with beginning farmers. Learn more at: nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/beginning-farmer-rancher-development-program-bfrdp
• The Farm Service Agency administers “Beginning Farmer” direct and guaranteed loans to help provide access to land, capital, marketing opportunities and more. Get details here: fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/beginning-farmers-and-ranchers-loans/
• The Conservation Reserve Program’s Transition Incentives Program provides landowners with additional payments on expiring CRP contracts if they sell or rent this land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers. Find more information at: fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/transition-incentives/
• Private lenders also recognize the need to support the next generation of farmers. One example is a Farm Credit program focused on young, beginning and small producers. Learn more at: farmcredit.com/customers/ybs
• Many university and Extension resources are also available, such as the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University. Explore its offerings here: beginningfarmer.iastate.edu/