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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs have long supported beginning farmers. USDA generally defines a beginning farmer or rancher as one who has operated a farm or ranch for 10 years or less-without regard for age-and who materially and substantially participates in its operation. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes and guarantees loans for farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit, including beginning farmers. FSA also reserves funds for beginning farmers within its loan programs. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides higher conservation payments for beginning farmers through two of its conservation programs. GAO reviewed the key steps USDA has taken to help beginning farmers and assessed the department's actions to measure the effectiveness of these steps.
There is a global imperative to shift agriculture and food systems to be more environmentally sustainable and socially just. In the United States, agriculture policy is increasingly supporting these types of agriculture, with programs such as Climate-Smart Commodities and increased funding opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers. At the same time, there is growing national concern over the increasing average age of farmers, making it critical to understand the support that exists for the new generation of new and beginning farmers and whether it can synergistically align with introducing alternative agriculture paradigms. After brief examination of U.S. agricultural policy's roots in promoting increased productivity, then surplus distribution and support of farmer incomes, this thesis considers more recent US agricultural policy and the 2018 Farm Bill to understand the ways ecologically and socially-minded agriculture for beginning farmers is supported through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). This program was renewed in the 2018 Farm Bill. Using a framework of agroecology defined by the FAO's High Level Panel of Experts in 2019 which encompasses both ecological and social elements, an analysis was done to qualitatively code BFRDP projects funded in the years 2018-2021 (n = 204) for prevalence of principles of agroecology. Then, descriptive statistics were generated about the allocation of funding towards principles that can be considered "ecological" and "social", as well as which principles are prioritized in funding. This analysis found that social principles had more funding allocated than ecological ones, and Principle 10 "Fairness" is most prevalent which aligns with the 2018 Farm Bill's greater push for social justice through new prioritizations for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers. I then examine agroecologically-conducive policies and the successes and challenges of agroecology present in policy and political movements internationally in different countries. Based on the examination of BFRDP grants and ensuing analysis of agroecology's compatibility with policy, the United States can learn lessons and implement agroecology as a guiding framework in domestic agriculture policy for ecological and social transformation of our agrifood system.
This report focusses on the effects of government programs on conventional and alternative agriculture in the U.S.A. Literature is reviewed and farmers are interviewed to assess the impact of the government programs
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the small farmer outreach training and technical assistance programs as related to farmers of color. The items to be evaluated included financial considerations, educational effectiveness, access and acquisition of farm loans, participation in Extension sponsored events and involvement in community activities. The sample population for this study was small scale agricultural producers representing two ethnic groups, African Americans and Hispanics, located in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties and enrolled in the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program (N=68) between October 1, 2001, and September 30, 2004. Descriptive statistics were used for reporting personal characteristics of the participants, as well as to determine knowledge gained and effectiveness of the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (SPSS) was used to calculate frequencies, percentages and variability of the variables. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. The Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program is an effective educational program in teaching farm management techniques and assisting with the acquisition of financial resources. 2. Farm size was relatively small with over half of the farms being fewer than 50 acres. 3. The ethnic identity of participants was more likely to be Hispanic than African American. 4. Total household income for a majority of the participants was less than $50,000. 5. The majority of the participants were part-time farmers. 6. The majority of the participants had a farm plan. 7. A majority of the participants had at least a high school education. 8. Program participants were likely to be approved for a loan through the United States Department of Agriculture.