The U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the guidance of Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, has announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations dedicated to teaching and training beginning farmers and ranchers, with a special emphasis on programs for U.S. veterans transitioning into agricultural careers and establishing new farming businesses.

Torres Small emphasized the crucial role of the next generation in ensuring the future of American agriculture and rural prosperity, “Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is providing our newest producers with the support they need to succeed and the educational resources to guide their operations on the path toward long-term sustainability and profitability.”

This investment is a part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), which focuses on a wide array of professional development initiatives. These include managing capital, acquiring and managing land, and mastering effective business and farming practices.

USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young commented, “This investment reflects USDA’s commitment to helping new farmers and ranchers realize their dreams.” She highlighted the importance of supporting the rising cadre of farmers and ranchers, including military veterans, in developing the necessary skills for productive and profitable farming.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ag Census data reveals that a third of the United States’ 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65. Dr. Manjit Misra, Director of USDA NIFA, stressed the importance of ensuring a new generation of farmers and ranchers, highlighting their unique educational and training needs, particularly in their first decade of operation.

NIFA’s BFRDP funds three types of projects: Standard Projects for local and regional training, Educational Team Projects for developing comprehensive education programs, and a Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for making educational materials available.

Examples of the 45 newly funded projects for FY2023 include the Growing Alaskan Farmers program by Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, Farm Boot Camp for transitioning military personnel, In Her Shoes, Inc.’s two-state project focusing on women and Black farmers in West Georgia and the Mississippi Delta, and La Semilla Food Center’s project for climate-smart agriculture solutions in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion.