New Website for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
USDA Announces Commitment to Build Next Generation of Farmers & Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a new website for beginning farmers and ranchers and announced that it will prioritize $5.6 billion over the next two years within USDA programs and services to help serve the next generation of growers.
“No matter where you’re from, no matter what you look like, no matter your background, we want USDA to be the first stop for anyone who is looking to be a part of the story and legacy of American agriculture,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden.
The new website is available at www.usda.gov/newfarmers and was designed based on feedback from new and beginning farmers and ranchers around the country who cited unfamiliarity with programs and resources as a challenge to starting and expanding their operations. The site features advice and guidance on everything a new farm business owner needs to know.
Using the new website and other outreach activities, and operating within its existing resources, USDA has set a new goal of increasing beginning farmer and rancher participation by an additional 6.6 percent across key USDA programs, which were established or strengthened by the 2014 Farm Bill, for a total investment value of approximately $5.6 billion. Read more.
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Good afternoon! I have been watching and researching on how to initially get started. What’s available, training, etc. I’m not 100% sure my family and I can fully make the transition now, but are definitely wanting too. Right now we both are taking a certification course in Sustainable Food and Farming at UMass Amherst. My wife is an Air Force Veteran and I am an Army Veteran (service connection of 80%) My wife is a stay at home mom. We have 3 boys ages 7, 6, and 4. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats as well. I work in IT for Brunswick Corporation in Fort Wayne, IN. We plan to move further south (possibly Eastern TN, Northern Georgia, or Northern Alabama area’s). The hardest part now is trying to find training, experience, etc. To my understanding, that is usually the basics for starting out. I keep hearing and seeing about training for veterans, help, etc but can’t seem to find anything for it or getting started. I may just not be searching in the right areas or for the right things… Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for all that you all do!
SGT. Sweet, Sean L.
United States Army Retired