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Next Generation of Farmers Act introduced in U.S. House

A bill in the U.S. House would help provide new and beginning farmers with the tools they need to purchase farmland.

Congressman Zach Nunn says the Next Generation of Farmers Act makes it easier to get approved for lower interest USDA loans. “This bill says if you’ve got farm experience or if you’ve got technical experience like an electrician, people who have worked in veterinarian services, manufacturing or construction related to farms, you can count that as credit time for it.”

The legislation would also reduce the USDA’s farm experience requirement from three years to one year.

The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield the bill comes at a critical time because more than half of U.S. farmland is on the brink of changing ownership over the next two decades. “Marrying these two up in these next five years is really important, so that young farmers get to work with experienced farmers and do the best possible practices.”

Nunn says access to farmland is one of the biggest barriers that new and beginning farmers face.