Tell me more about… the BFRDP
This is a part of a blog series on different federal programs in the USDA and how they affect the average beginning farmer. As we work towards improving legislation and pushing for reform in the Farm Bill, we decided to create these quick tutorial pages to act as a reference. Let us know if there is a particular program that you’d like us to write about next! The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), directed by the... Read More
New Website Database to Support Beginning Farmer Success in MA
The Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts (BFN/Mass), a coalition of farmers and farm service providers in MA, have officially released their new website clearinghouse for resources and information for beginning farmers in the state. The website, www.bfnmass.org, is designed to allow for simple navigation through a database of service provider-offered loan and grant programs, classes, and other services. At the same time, the website helps... Read More
Training New Farmers at the Center for Agroecology and Food Systems
The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at the University of California, Santa Cruz is a nationally renowned training program for organic growers. You can help strengthen programs like the Santa Cruz program: Tell Congress to support the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program today. In addition to funding their important work, CASFS is also using Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program monies to share... Read More
With BFRDP, Grassworks Resists Corporate Dairying by Training Young Ranchers
In Wisconsin, as in most of the country, the path to becoming a teacher or a lawyer is well defined. But suppose you want to become a dairy farmer without a farm to inherit: That career path is less certain. And, with an aging population of farmers, it’s more important than ever to educate the next generation of ranchers. Many farms without successors are being sold to become large animal confinement operations. Wisconsin’s Bureau of Apprenticeship... Read More
Cast Your Vote for a Fair Farm Bill!
Yes, the presidential election is over. But that doesn’t mean we’re done in DC for the fight for beginning farmers. Now that your vote was counted in the political races, it’s time to cast another vote, this one for a better Farm Bill that supports beginning farmers. Sign on to the Young Farmers/National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition petition to let Congress know that you want a fair, sustainable Farm Bill today – one... Read More
Massachusetts Beginning Farmer Network Forum Next Week
NYFC is pleased to be able to spread the word about this beginning farmer network starting up in Massachusetts. MA farmers – check it out! Anyone in other areas not yet involved with a young/beginning farmer coalition, contact us to learn how to get one going. BFN/Mass Fall Forum- November 13th from 10:30 to 2:30 at the Charlton Public Library. Register at www.tinyurl.com/bfnmassfallforum Are you a new farmer or thinking about... Read More
South Dakota Trains a Network of Beginning Ranchers with Help from BFRDP Funding
Ken Olson is the extension beef specialist at South Dakota State’s West River Agricultural Center. He came to South Dakota from Montana, where he grew up on a farm that ultimately wasn’t large enough to support both him and his brother. Though he teaches agricultural science for a living at SDSU, the highlight of his career has been his work developing an exciting rancher training program funded by the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers’... Read More
The Farm Bill’s Real Impact – BFRDP Helps Train the Next Generation
My name is Sophie Ackoff, I have been an apprentice at Glynwood Farm. Like so many other beginning farmers today, I don’t come from a farming family and I have no land or agricultural skills to inherit from my parents. I believe that the government needs to support beginning farmers and shouldn’t short-change farmer training programs. Please act now to send that message to Congress. I grew up in suburban Southern California, a region... Read More
NYFC Signs on to Call for Investing in Beginning and Underserved Farmers
NYFC has joined with the Land Stewardship Project and other agriculture organizations around the country in signing on to an organizational letter to Congress calling for proper investment in USDA programs supporting a bright future for American agriculture when they reconvene after the election. The letter urges action on a new farm bill along with inclusion/investment in two key programs: the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and... Read More
Latest Development on the Farm Bill – We Need to Mobilize Now!
Some bad news came in from Washington yesterday, but there’s a silver lining… The Senate voted 67-31 to proceed with a vote to pass the 6-month Continuing Resolution that the House passed last week, extending 2012 funding levels until March 27, 2013. The actual vote will take place in the next few days and is expected to pass. Why is this bad news? Well, it hurts a lot of the conservation programs that we think are beneficial to American... Read More
