Young and Beginning Farmers Act Introduced

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Young and Beginning Farmers Act: National Young Farmers Coalition applauds bipartisan bill to aid young and beginning farmers

Urges Congress to adopt all provisions of the Young and Beginning Farmers Act in the next farm bill 

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC)—a national advocacy network of young farmers fighting for the future of agriculture—applauded today as Representatives Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Ryan Costello (PA-06) introduced the bipartisan Young and Beginning Farmers Act (H.R. 4201) in the House of Representatives.

The bill addresses critical barriers facing young people as they seek to begin careers in agriculture. As the average age of farmers in the U.S. approaches 60 years old, the Young and Beginning Farmers Act would support the next generation of farmers and ranchers by expanding their access to affordable farmland, improving outreach and delivery of federal programs to new farmers, and increasing investments in training, business development, and local markets.

“Young people are stepping up and starting careers in agriculture despite significant odds,” said Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director and co-founder of NYFC, “but they can’t do it alone. The future of farming and our rural communities depends on their success. We urge Congress to make young farmers a priority and include the Young and Beginning Farmers Act in the next farm bill.”

In addition to NYFC’s support, H.R. 4201 has already received endorsements from organizations including the National Farmers Union (NFU), National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), American Farmland Trust (AFT), and the Land Trust Alliance (LTA).

Longstanding advocates for young farmers

NYFC was a strong advocate for young farmers in the 2014 Farm Bill. The organization plans to announce its young farmer agenda, together with its 2017 national young farmer survey, in coming weeks. Headquartered in upstate New York with legislative offices in Washington, D.C., the coalition has grown to 37 chapters in 26 states and Washington, D.C.

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is a national advocacy network of young farmers fighting for the future of agriculture. Visit NYFC on the web at www.youngfarmers.org, and on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and