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Beginning Farmer Advisory Committee Makes Recommendations to Secretary of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers held their annual meeting July 9-10 in Washington, DC. The Committee discussed and passed 5 recommendations for implementing the new farm bill.

The recommendations to create new farming and ranching opportunities include:

  • Provide special conservation planning assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers through cooperative agreements with other organizations.
  • Issue a timely rule on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to facilitate a sign-up early next year.
  • Increase the set-aside in CSP and EQIP from 5 to 10 percent for beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged producers.
  • Establish extra ranking points under the Value Added Producer Grants Program for projects from beginning farmers and ranchers.
  • Place the newly created Office of Outreach and Advocacy as a stand-alone office at the Departmental level equal to other offices as the farm bill indicates.

The new Office of Outreach and Advocacy is critically important if issues concerning small and beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers are to get the attention they need and deserve. The farm bill clearly states that this office needs to be placed at the top level of USDA and to report directly to the Secretary, rather than through other offices and departments.

The Advisory Committee plays an important role in highlighting issues facing beginning farmers and ranchers and how to get them started in agriculture successfully. The Center’s Traci Bruckner sits on the committee with 19 others from across the country. To learn more, go to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=bfl-er

Contact: Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfr.org or 402.687.2103 x 1016 with questions.