USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is making available more than $18 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The program is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers -specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less. NIFA will make grants available to organizations to design programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Proposals are due April 6.
Priority will be given to projects that are partnerships and collaborations led by or including nongovernmental and community-based organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 25% of the federal funds requested. This is the second year of the program.
Acceptable proposals will address mentoring, apprenticeships and internships; resources and referrals; assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers, entrepreneurship and business training, among other program areas.
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