Legislation aims to ease path to land access for young growers

Bipartisan legislation introduced April 1 in the U.S. House and Senate aims to help young farmers and ranchers access farmland and would establish a pilot program with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

The New Producer Economic Security Act, if included in the farm bill and funded through the appropriations process, would provide:

• Financial solutions to low credit access, such as revolving funds with low- to no-interest loans and forgivable loans;
• Support for organizations that provide resources, like grants or awards, to young, beginning and economically disadvantaged producers to acquire land;
• Support for local, state or tribal governments to purchase land and make it available to local producers;
• Funds to award farmers to acquire legal services related to land acquisition;
• Support for community-held land options from cooperative ownership to community land trusts.

“The average age of a producer in the United States is 58, and in Minnesota it’s 57. To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to invest in the next generation of farmers,” Sen. Tina Smith, a bill co-sponsor, said in a news release. “This is a matter of national security, food security and the strength and vitality of rural America. This legislation would help remove barriers for new and beginning farmers as they try to start up their businesses.”

“If we are going to revitalize and strengthen American agriculture for generations to come, we need to take steps now to ensure young farmers can succeed,” added bill co-sponsor Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “I’m proud to sponsor bipartisan legislation aimed at helping young and beginning farmers access land, markets, and capital — the biggest challenges for new and underserved farmers.”

The initiative was applauded by organizations including the National Young Farmers Coalition, American Farmland Trust, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

“Land access is at the root of, and deeply tied to, many of the barriers farmers and ranchers face, including market access, access to operating capital and day-to-day challenges such as changing weather patterns, mental health and housing,” Michelle Hughes, co-executive director of the National Young Farmers Coalition, said. “The New Producer Economic Security Act comes at a time when farmers need us the most. The bill comprehensively addresses the greatest barriers young and beginning farmers face while elevating local leadership, securing our domestic food system and delivering material benefits for new producers.”

Taylor Olson, owner and operator Wild Oats Farm in Taylor Falls, Minnesota, is an example of the producers the bill aims to help.

“As a young, beginning farmer, I know all too well that the next generation of producers face significant barriers in accessing the land, capital and markets we need to not only start but grow and sustain our farms,” Olson said. “The New Producer Economic Security Act tackles these challenges head-on by supporting locally led projects that will make a real difference for young farmers like me in Minnesota and across the country.”