Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) provides funding to support the delivery of education, mentoring, and technical assistance programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States. The program aims to enhance the sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations. The program has three types of projects: Standard BFRDP Projects, Educational Team (ET) Projects, and Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse. Some key areas of focus for the program include basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices; innovative farm, ranch, and private non-industrial forest land transfer and succession strategies; entrepreneurship and business training; and financial and risk management training. • The program is open to collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. • Applications must be submitted electronically through the NIFA website. • The program has a funding cycle of approximately $14 million for each fiscal year. • The program requires a minimum of 5% of the program funds to be allocated to address the needs of limited resource beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers, and/or farm workers. • The program also requires a minimum of 5% of the program funds to be allocated to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers who are military veterans.