Beginning Farmers and Ranchers - FIC

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Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

USDA defines beginning farmers and ranchers as those who have operated a farm or ranch for 10 years or less either as a sole operator or with others who have operated a farm or ranch for 10 years or less. Beginning farmers tend to be younger than established farmers and to operate smaller farms or ranches, some of which may provide no annual production. Beginning farmers often face obstacles getting started, including high startup costs and limited availability of land. USDA—through the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service—provides loans and conservation assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers. This report draws on data from annual surveys and the Census of Agriculture to provide policymakers with a better understanding of beginning farmers and ranchers, including how they contribute to U.S. agricultural production

Publication Name
ERS Report
Downloadable Documents
Author
Mary Ahearn, Doris Newton
Publisher
Washigton, DC: USDA Economic Research Service
Page Numbers
32
Publication Date
May 01, 2009
Publication Type
Reports and Guides
State
National
Keywords
Agricultural Statistics, Beginning Farmers

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