Description
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) provides funding to support education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. The program aims to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Eligible applicants include collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based networks or partnerships of qualified public and/or private entities. The program provides mandatory funds of $15 million per year for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, with increasing funding in subsequent years. Key aspects of the program include:
* Education and training for beginning farmers and ranchers
* Mentoring and technical assistance initiatives
* Support for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers
* Emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship
* Encouragement of partnerships and collaborations among eligible entities
* Requirement for applicants to provide a detailed project plan and budget
* Evaluation criteria include the quality of the project plan, the potential impact on beginning farmers and ranchers, and the applicant's experience and capacity to carry out the project.