By Cora Fox, former staff member
Do you support beginning and aspiring farmers and ranchers? Your voice is needed!
This week, a bill supporting beginning and aspiring farmers and ranchers – the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act (BFROA) – was introduced in Congress by Reps. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE).
The Center for Rural Affairs understands the challenges beginning farmers and ranchers face, and has endorsed BFROA. You can learn more about the bill here.
A quick call to your representative expressing your support for this bill will make a big impact! Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202.224.3121.
The average age of today's farmer is 58 years old. Over the course of the next five years, nearly 100 million acres of farmland are predicted to change hands. We need to support policies that ensure beginning farmers and ranchers have the necessary tools and resources to be successful in the future. The 2018 farm bill is the perfect opportunity to address the challenges beginning farmers and ranchers face, and provide solutions to overcome these barriers.
In order to keep our agricultural economy strong, we need to support policies that help beginning farmers and ranchers in four key areas:
- Access to affordable land;
- Education to develop necessary farming skills;
- Sound financial management tools, such as credit and crop insurance; and
- Conservation and land stewardship.
In brief, BFROA helps support beginning and aspiring farmers and ranchers by:
- Expanding beginning farmer and rancher access to affordable land;
- Empowering producers with the skills needed to succeed in today's agricultural economy;
- Ensuring equitable access to financial capital and federal crop insurance; and
- Encouraging commitment to conservation and land stewardship.
In order for Congress to include this bill in the 2018 farm bill, representatives need to hear from you. If you care about the next generation of farmers and ranchers in your state, now is the time to let them know!
Want to show your support for beginning and aspiring farmers and ranchers? Here’s how you can get involved:
Call your representative expressing your support by dialing the Congressional Switchboard at 202.224.3121.
Not sure what to say? Here is an example:
“Hello, my name is _________, and I live in [town where you live, so they know you are a member of their district]. I’m calling to let Representative/Senator _________ know I support the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act. To keep our agricultural economy strong, our beginning farmers and ranchers need support in the 2018 farm bill. Thank you!”
If you're looking for more information:
Since this bill was just introduced, the legislative number has not yet been assigned. You can follow BFROA updates HERE to stay in the know.
Did you call? Let us know!
Contact us at 402.687.2100 or info@cfra.org.
