The Cattle Network is reporting that USDA has awarded $17 million in grants to train beginning farmers and ranchers to 29 different institutions. To view the article, click here. The announcement came from Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, who said, “Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges and need educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and long term sustainability ... The training and education provided through these grants will help ensure the success of the next generation of farmers and ranchers as they work to feed people in their local communities and throughout the world.”
According to the article, “[t]he grants were awarded through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA, formerly the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer. Congress authorized the FY 2009 funding for this program in the 2008 Farm Bill, with another $19 million in mandatory funding for FY 2010. Under the program, USDA will make grants to organizations that will implement programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers.”
Posted: 11/3/09
