Next Generation In Agriculture Act Introduced

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The latest news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) featuring the Next Generation in Agriculture Act, Poultry Loan Practices Hearing, and Beginning Farmer Lending Update.

FARM BILL NEWS  

RELEASE: Legislators Set Their Sights on the Future with Next Generation in Agriculture Act

A bipartisan coalition led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Susan Collins introduced the Next Generation in Agriculture Act (S. 2762), which will drive investments in the 2018 Farm Bill toward programs and policies that create economic opportunity for beginning farmers and ranchers.  

With the average age of American farmers creeping toward 60 years old and increasingly fewer would-be producers entering the industry, we may soon lack the people-power to produce the food, fuel, and fiber our country needs. With the right investments in outreach, education and other resources, however, the 2018 Farm Bill can ensure that American agriculture remains resilient for decades to come, especially if it includes the provisions set forth in the Next Generation in Agriculture Act.

“Farming and ranching is a way of life in North Dakota – but to ensure it stays that way, we have to support young and beginning farmers and ranchers,” said Senator Heitkamp. “We must do more to cultivate the next generation of family farmers, and that’s what this bipartisan bill is about – giving young Americans the tools they need to succeed in agriculture and keep our rural communities strong. With the number of new farmers and ranchers falling – and our current population of farmers aging – this bill would take important steps to maintain North Dakota’s strong tradition of family farming and help new farmers and ranchers launch successful careers.”…

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS    

Congress Examines SBA Poultry Loan Practices in Contentious Hearing 

The central question at last week’s House Small Business Committee hearing was this: Who does the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) program really help, and does that comport with the program’s stated intent? SBA’s 7(a) program has come under fire recently, following the release of an SBA Inspector General’s (IG) report that found SBA had wrongly made at least $1.7 billion in loans for contract poultry facilities.

USDA NEWS    

Farm Service Agency Lending to Beginning Farmers Remains Strong Access to credit is a make or break issues for farmers — especially when they’re just starting out. For beginning and other producers facing challenges to securing credit in the commercial sector, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs have proven particularly crucial.    

 

Learn more about Agricultural Policy and Politics at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/farm-policy-agricultural-politics/