USDA's $28M investment supports beginner farmers and ranchers

Nov 21, 2023

To bolster the agricultural sector, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $27.9 million investment. This funding, directed towards 45 different organizations, aims to educate and train the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small emphasized the importance of this initiative for future agricultural success and rural prosperity.

The investment is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). It focuses on various aspects of farming, including capital management, land acquisition, and business strategies. Recognizing the need to lower the age average of U.S. farmers, the program specifically includes provisions for U.S. veterans pursuing agricultural careers.

Highlighted projects include Alaska's Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, which focuses on training Indigenous farmers, and In Her Shoes, Inc., which supports women and Black farmers in the South. These initiatives are designed to cater to the unique challenges faced in different regions, promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

This strategic investment marks a significant step in nurturing a new, diverse generation of farmers and ranchers. By addressing both educational needs and systemic barriers, the USDA is paving the way for a more sustainable and profitable agricultural future in the U.S.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.