टेरेसा होफम्यान द्वारा, पूर्व कर्मचारी सदस्य
अमेरिकी किसानको औसत उमेर लगभग ६० वर्ष भएको र आगामी केही वर्षहरूमा लाखौं एकड जमिन हस्तान्तरण हुने अपेक्षा गरिएको अवस्थामा, राष्ट्रले उत्पादकहरूको अर्को पुस्ता खोज्दै गर्दा सैन्य पूर्व सैनिकहरूले खेल्नुपर्ने महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका छ।
To do so, veterans will need assistance overcoming barriers, such as accessing land and the lack of assets or cash flow to purchase land, equipment, and farm inputs.
Access to credit is an important component of most farming operations, especially for new and beginning producers.
Farm Service Agency (FSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offers a variety of loan programs, including providing access to much-needed credit. FSA offers both direct and guaranteed loans.
In 2018, FSA loan programs had a monumental year, as obligations to all farmers reached a record $1.1 billion. Of those, veteran farmers received $82.1 million from FSA and $76 million from third-party providers.
There are also conservation loan programs available through the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, with preference given to veteran farmers who support conservation on their farming operations.
Additionally, changes in the 2018 farm bill seek to improve outreach to veteran farmers and expand eligibility for various programs.
To ensure the U.S. is able to maintain a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry and support rural communities, our policies must create opportunity for the next generation of those who intend to produce our food and fiber.
