2026 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

By Kendra T Rose

USDA NIFA is soliciting proposals for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The primary goal of BFRDP is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. 

Priority Areas:

1. Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;
2. Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer and succession strategies;
3. Entrepreneurship and business training;
4. Technical assistance to help beginning farmers or ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
5. Financial and risk management training, including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit;
6. Natural resource management and planning;
7. Diversification and marketing strategies;
8. Curriculum development;
9. Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
10. Resources and referral;
11. Farm financial benchmarking;
12. Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veteran farmers and ranchers;
13. Farm safety and awareness;
14. Food safety and recordkeeping; and
15. Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.