Recognizing the need to cultivate more new farmers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is rolling out several programs aimed at helping beginning farmers get through their first years.
Farmers across the country are growing older and in Wisconsin, the average age is 56. The USDA already has a number of new and beginning farmer programs in place, like low-interest loans and help with marketing, to help address the trend.
There are a number of new programs in the latest Farm Bill aimed at keeping beginning farmers in business – like one that waives fees for farmers who enroll in certain disaster assistance programs. Farmers who lose livestock, honeybees, or fish in a natural disaster can also receive a higher payment than their more experienced counterparts.
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“Particularly for individuals who are just getting started, a loss can be devastating,” said Dick Cates, the director at UW-Madison’s School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers. “So this is being more gracious with the arrangement for the new farmer.”
Angie Sullivan is an organic specialist with Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services, one of many organizations that works with new and beginning farmers. She said the interest in farming continues to grow in the region. Once farmers get over the biggest hurdle – acquiring land – Sullivan said she often helps them get their finances in order.
“A lot of times we see them coming back to us after a year or two and wanting us to help them with their financial aspects – their bookkeeping, their recordkeeping, maybe some of their farm systems,” she said.
The USDA also launched a website for new farmers this week, a one-stop shop for information on grants, technical support, and education.
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