Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

 

To support the nation?s beginning farmers and ranchers by making competitive grants to new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives that address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.311
Federal Agency/Office
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016 NIFA accepted 148 applications for peer review. We anticipate funding 30-40 new projects by the end of the FY 2016 totaling approximately $17-18 million. In addition, 60 multi-year projects funded in FY 2014 and FY 2015 are still active. Approximately 35 projects were funded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 with a 24% success rate for a total of $17,777,572 after legislatively mandated set-asides. Funds were utilized to address unique training, education, outreach and technical assistance needs of beginning farmers and ranchers, such as land acquisition, business and financial management, farming and ranching practices, natural resource conservation, risk management, legal strategies, marketing strategies, and more. Funds were also utilized for educational team efforts to train the trainers and help enhance other beginning farmer and rancher education programs in the nation.
Fiscal Year 2017 Approximately 35 projects were funded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 with a 24% success rate for a total of $17,777,572 after legislatively mandated set-asides. Funds were utilized to address unique training, education, outreach and technical assistance needs of beginning farmers and ranchers, such as land acquisition, business and financial management, farming and ranching practices, natural resource conservation, risk management, legal strategies, marketing strategies, and more. Funds were also utilized for educational team efforts to train the trainers and help enhance other beginning farmer and rancher education programs in the nation.
Fiscal Year 2018 For Fiscal Year 2018 the Appropriations was $18,680,000. The amount available for award was $17,801,607. Approximately 36 projects were funded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. Approximately 160 proposals were accepted for reviews in the FY 2018 grant cycle with a 23% success rate. This amount included a carry-over of unspent funds from past grant cycles, to fund additional highly ranked fundable proposals. Funds were utilized to address unique training, education, outreach and technical assistance needs of beginning farmers and ranchers, such as land access, farm sustainability, market access, apprenticeship, business and financial management, farming and ranching practices, natural resource conservation, risk management, legal strategies, and more. Funds were also utilized for educational team efforts for farm financial and business management training, as well train the trainers in conducting evaluation, to document measurable accomplishments.
Fiscal Year 2019 For Fiscal Year 2019: This Program was re-authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. The amount appropriated was $15 million for the FY 2019 grant cycle. The amount available for awards was $14,259,574, after administrative and panel costs were deducted. Of the 95 proposals accepted for reviews, approximately 31 projects will be awarded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 at a 33% success rate. The projects funded would work towards increasing the number, success and sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and the territories, by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions. Anticipated accomplishments would include growing new and beginning farmers as well as retaining new farmers for generations to come, The topics addressed by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) projects are diverse, driven by the needs of the audiences they serve, as well as by the 2018 Farm Bill priorities. Most projects provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance on a variety of topics spanning food security, land access, estate management, production, marketing, business and financial management.
Fiscal Year 2020 In accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, the projected 2020 Appropriations is $15 million for BFRDP projects. The projected amount available for awards is $14,400,000.
Authorization
Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, [7 U.S.C. 3319f]., Public Law 107-171, 7 U.S.C. 3319f
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
The recipient must be a collaborative, State, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include: state cooperative extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organization; college or university (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate partner. Others may be eligible to apply. Please refer to Part III of the current BFRDP Request for Applications for complete eligibility requirements.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The recipient must be a collaborative, State, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include: state cooperative extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organization; college or university (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate partner. Others may be eligible to apply. Please refer to Part III of the current BFRDP Request for Applications for complete eligibility requirements.
Credentials/Documentation
The System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems, including CCR, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one new system. CCR activities are conducted through SAM (the CCR website will redirect users to SAM). Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR SS 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR SS 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following: Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, "Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information." SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available as follows: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is not required for this listing. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. All RFAs are published on the Agency’s website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFA). 2 CFR 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I and 2 CFR part 400 apply to this Program.
Award Procedure
Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I apply to this program. 2 CFR Part 400 applies to this program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. Contact the National Program Leader (NPL), as indicated per CFDA Section # 152 - Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA's respective links regarding general information are provided below: http://nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database.
Appeals
Not Applicable. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subparts D & E apply to this program.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp
How may assistance be used?
Competitive grants are made to support: (A) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships; (B) resources and referral; (C) assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers; (D) innovative farm and ranch transfer strategies; (E) entrepreneurship and business training; (F) model land leasing contracts; (G) financial management training;. (H) whole farm planning; (I) conservation assistance; (J) risk management education; (K) diversification and marketing strategies; (L) curriculum development; (M) understanding the impact of concentration and globalization; (N) basic livestock and crop farming practices; (O) the acquisition and management of agricultural credit; (P) environmental compliance; (Q) information processing; and (R) other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers. In addition, cooperative agreements may be awarded to establish Education Teams: (1) In General: In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall establish beginning farmer and rancher education teams to develop curricula and conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning farmers or ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the United States. (2) Curriculum: In promoting the development of curricula, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include modules tailored to specific audiences of beginning farmers or ranchers, based on crop or regional diversity. (3) Composition: In establishing an education team for a specific program or workshop, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable: (A) obtain the short-term services of specialists with knowledge and expertise in programs serving beginning farmers or ranchers; and (B) use officers and employees of the Department with direct experience in programs of the Department that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the program or workshop. (4) Cooperation: (A) In General: In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with: (i) State cooperative extension services; (ii) Federal and State agencies; (iii) community-based and nongovernmental organizations; (iv) colleges and universities (including an institution awarding an associate’s degree) or foundations maintained by a college or university; and (v) other appropriate partners, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Cooperative Agreement: Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A). An award also may be made to establish a Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse. The Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to beginning farmers or ranchers education curricula and training materials and programs, which may include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers or ranchers. Set-Aside: Not less than 25 percent of funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that address the needs of: (A) limited resource beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined by the Secretary); (B) socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)); and (C) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: PERFORMANCE MONITORING: See above for pertinent and specific details.
Auditing
Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Records
In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, SS 200.333 Retention requirements for records. Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR 200 Subpart D applies to this program. .
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 25%. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, [7 U.S.C. 3319f]. To be eligible to receive a grant under this program, a recipient must provide a match in the form of cash or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the funds provided by the grant.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Standard BFRDP Projects: The Statutory time limitation is three (3) years from the project start date on the Award Face Sheet (Form NIFA-2009). Educational Enhancement Team (EET) Projects: In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the NIFA General Terms and Conditions Grants and Cooperative Agreements (dated October 2016) at: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
NIFA is transitioning to a new location for Fiscal Year 2020. NIFA's New Mailing Address AFTER September 30, 2019 follows: National Institute of Food and Agriculture 6501 Beacon Drive Kansas City, MO 64133
Headquarters Office
USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader,
Institute of Food Production and Sustainablity, Division of Agricultural Systems, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2240
Washington, DC 20250-2240 US
Policy@nifa.usda.gov
Phone: (202) 401-0151
Fax: (202) 401-5179
Website Address
http://nifa.usda.gov/program/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-0502-0-1-352
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 18$17,801,607.00; FY 19 est $14,259,574.00; FY 20 est $14,400,000.00; FY 17$17,758,724.00; FY 16$17,777,572.00; - SPECIAL NOTE: The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgement for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S GENERAL AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's general award terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program, for awards with an award date on December 26, 2014 and thereafter. https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 For FY 2016: The Farm Answers national clearinghouse of information (FarmAnswers.org) launched a digital library with over 4,200 documents, web site, apps, and other tools (as of July, 2016). Other projects include a dairy grazing apprenticeship program, developed with BFRDP support in Wisconsin, that is expanding to Missouri and then nationally; a program that is teaching new organic farmers, particularly military veterans, in Delaware; and a program that is continuing and expanding the successful “Armed to Farm” program for military veterans to learn poultry, livestock, and agroforestry practices. The BFRDP program encourages projects that address a range of topics rather than a narrow focus, by stating “Most successful standard grant applicants provide training and assistance with business and financial management, as well as production and marketing topics aligned with the BFRDP priorities. Five (5) exemplary projects funded are as follows: (1) A project funded in the North Central region worked with 56 beginning Hispanic, socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers; 53% of these farmers developed enterprise plans suitable for FSA loan applications; 61% gained skills on sustainable production and food safety techniques. (2) The Women in Agriculture project in Michigan worked on conducting and evaluating training programs with 194 participants in the program. 14% of these participants learned how to project cash flow, 14% improved on loan readiness, and about 1% tried out direct seeding. (3) A project in the South working with 100% African American participants focused on specialty crop production. Of the 45 participants in the program, 100% completed business plans. 95% launched farm enterprises; and 56% increased their annual income by 15-85% from their enterprises. (4) Two (2) projects farming for cash had 175 participants. They were trained to start farming production and business planning. 46% of these participants learned about marketing; 100% of these farmers learned about vegetable production for local markets; 44% of the participants started farming. (5) One (1) comprehensive training program taught 92 participants how to start farming; 15% learned about fruit and vegetable production; 11% learned farm business planning; 24% learned small ruminant livestock production.
Fiscal Year 2017 FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2017: The BFRDP program encourages projects that address a range of topics rather than a narrow focus, by stating “Most successful standard grant applicants provide training and assistance with business and financial management, as well as production and marketing topics aligned with the BFRDP priorities. Five (5) exemplary projects funded are as follows: (1) A project located in the Western region is working with 20% of participants without farm experiences and they are being converted to real farmers; 50% of the farmers will be developed into beginning farmers who understand commercial farming; 25% of farmers would start product and enterprise diversification. (2) A project in the Southern region provided 6 beginning farmers with stipends and is ensuring that these farmers gain knowledge and skills to enhance their farm operations and networking opportunity; 50% of the 369 farmers being trained will be assisted to start farming; 35% of the beginning farmers will implement a business plan; 46% of the military personnel on the project would complete business and strategic planning; in farm safety, 57% of the 369 participants to date have made positive changes in work behavior. (3) A project working with Heir property and assisting forest landowners to start farming will assist 100 minority farmers to start farming; 20% will improve farm successes; 30% will be assisted with project plans to increase the ability of socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers to operate their farms and forestry enterprises; project will increase farmers’ capacity to access farming and forestry related program needs. (4) This project works with socially disadvantaged and military farm veterans; 50% of the 150 farmers being trained would increase farm yields by at least 30%; 10% of the beginning farmers being trained are projected to start farming upon project completion; 75% of the farmers being trained would have increased their knowledge to acquire and retain ownership of farmland; 20% of the beginning farmers would acquire farmland; 33% of the farmers will keep business records; 65% of the farmers will gain farm business knowledge; 60% of the farmers will gain production techniques. (5) One (1) veteran program plans to train 50% of the 51 military veterans to operate businesses throughout the project period; Project plans to support new farm businesses through wholesale market contracts; 100% of participants would receive farm businesses and finance training ; graduating farmers will be guaranteed a source of income.
Fiscal Year 2018 FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2018: The BFRDP program encourages projects that address a range of topics rather than a narrow focus, by stating “Most successful standard grant applicants provide training and assistance with business and financial management, as well as production and marketing topics aligned with the BFRDP priorities. Five (5) exemplary projects funded are as follows: 1) A project in the Southern region working in a Beginning meat producer project conducted pre-post evaluations of all workshops and trainings with 204 participants and indicated that 80% of participants gained knowledge with an average growth in knowledge of 48; 10% in production practices; 81% of participants would recommend the trainings and workshops provided to others 2) One project in the North Eastern region working with refugee farmers had the following success-25 new farm startups, b) 83% of beginning farmers will use their new knowledge and skills to increase profits earned from a new or existing farm business; c) 50% of beginning farmers will increase knowledge and skills necessary to expand their sustainable vegetable farm enterprises 3) A project in the North Central region working with women in agriculture has conducted 10 land transitions for beginning farmers; 100 beginning farmers have been assisted to start farming within one year, 4 case studies and 6 beginning farmer profiles have been conducted; 100 farmers have improved success in farming; 4) One project in the Southern region working with marketing access for beginning farmers has accomplished the following: a) 160 new and beginning farmers have learned new direct marketing strategies; b) 90 new and beginning farmers have expanded into new direct marketing channels; c) 120 new and beginning farmers have learned suitable crop production for direct markets and how to use and develop enterprise budgets; d) 90 new and beginning farmers implement crop plans for direct marketing channels. 5) A project in the Western region working primarily on Hands-on training a) worked with 500 producers who will utilize video training as a farm management tool; b) 37 Farmers in the training program will implement a new financial management tool. c) 50 farmers in the training program will develop goals for farm business sustainability d) Farmers who participate in the training program will implement a new production or land management practice.
Fiscal Year 2019 FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2019: The projects funded will work towards increasing the number, success and sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions. Anticipated accomplishments would include growing new farmers, The topics addressed by Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) projects are diverse, driven by the needs of the audiences they serve. Most projects provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance on a variety of topics spanning production, marketing, business management, and legal and human resource issues.
Fiscal Year 2020 Information is not yet available. It is anticipated that similar projects will be funded in Fiscal Year 2020. Pertinent information will be provided by Program at a future date.

 


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