Reps. Sean Maloney of New York State and Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania unveiled a U.S. House bill to help young and beginning farmers get established. The sponsors said action is needed because of the advancing average age of U.S. farmers, nearly 60 in the 2012 Ag Census.
Maloney, a Democrat and member of the House Agriculture Committee, said the bill would improve access to land, a major challenge for young farmers, by making it easier for land trusts to protect farmland for beginning farmers and allow larger USDA loans to them. The bill would fund individual development accounts to help young farmers save money for purchases and establish a farm viability grant program to connect beginning farmers with resources and experts.
“Our farmers feed America, and we have to make sure the next generation has the land, tools, and training programs they need to start a successful career in agriculture,” said Maloney. The bill is backed by groups that include the National Young Farmers Coalition, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, American Farmland Trust and the National Farmers Union.