This week, the Agriculture Department announced it has a new team of USDA staff to lead a department wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. The Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska already works with beginning producers. Policy Director Johnathan Hladik says this national effort is welcome and should be very beneficial for those getting into the business.
He says it’s particularly difficult for those beginning farmers to break into conventional row crop farming.
Hladik says developing that market can be a long process. He also says the best way to assist those starting to farm and ranch is to work at both the state and federal levels.
Beginning farmer Sarah Campbell has been named national coordinator for USDA’s beginning producer program. She recently served as acting director of customer experience for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.
