During a visit to Iowa State University this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced some new initiatives to help new and beginning farmers.

First, Vilsack announced a new investment of $17.8 million for 37 projects to help educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). In addition, Vilsack said USDA will host a series of Fall Forums in the coming months to “highlight the progress made on the top issues facing the future of agriculture and set the stage for the next administration to continue to support a strong future for American agriculture.” The forums will be hosted in partnership with leading universities across the country and each will focus on an important issue facing farmers and ranchers, such as land tenure, export markets, local and regional food systems, and agricultural research.

More information on USDA’s assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers can be found at www.usda.gov/NewFarmers.