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NIFA invests more than $50 million towards beginning farmers, ranchers

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture says it will invest more than $50 million to teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grants will support curriculum creation and professional development like managing capital, acquiring land and create effective farming practices. 

USDA says the projects will benefit a new generation of ag producers regardless of their age or production choice and says success in the first 10 years is vital to sustainability.

The grants will be awarded to 140 organizations with money allocated from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021.   NIFA says nearly $17 million dollars were awarded last year.

Arkansas Land and Community Development Corporation will use the money to recruit and provide training and technical assistance to serve military veterans, socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers and ranchers.

Kansas State University will provide start-up resources that include a land-link program to match existing landowners with beginning farmers and ranchers. KSU will offer one-on-one education for farm transitions and a training program to master financial and business skills.