State gets $919,000 to help beginning farmers

Minnesota has received $919,900 in funding for local and regional initiatives that address the needs of new farmers in the state.“Farming has been a vital part of Minnesota’s history, and this funding will provide training and education that builds a strong foundation for the next generation of farmers,” said U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

In Minnesota, the funding is divided between two organizations: $413,820 to the Land Stewardship Project in Minneapolis and $506,170 to the Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. in St. Paul.

The grants are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture as part of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This program is designed to help those who have been farming for fewer than 10 years through education, training, technical assistance and outreach.

Senator Klobuchar worked closely with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to pass the 2008 Farm Bill, which authorized funding for this program.