Congressional Subcommittee Hears Testimony about Beginning Farmers & 2007 Farm Bill from LSP

CONTACT: Karen Stettler, LSP, 507-523-3366; Adam Warthesen, LSP, 612-722-6377

PHOTO AVAILABLE: For a digital photo of Karen Stettler testifying, contact Adam Warthesen at 612-722-6377 or adamw@landstewardshipproject.org

3/28/07
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The director of the Land Stewardship Project’s (LSP) Farm Beginnings® program testified Tuesday before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research about needed reforms to the 2007 Farm Bill that will help beginning farmers overcome barriers to getting started and succeeding.

“There is real opportunity in agriculture today. It is important to know that there are people out there who have the desire and commitment for farming,” said Karen Stettler, who directs the Farm Beginnings program in Minnesota. “But obstacles exist for beginning farmers – obstacles that Congress should address.”

During the past decade, nearly 300 people have graduated from the Farm Beginnings program, making it one of the most successful beginning farmer training initiatives in the nation.  Stettler’s testimony focused on opportunities for beginning farmers, such as the growth in organics and expanding markets for local and regional farm products. Yet beginning farmers are prevented from seizing these new opportunities because of lack of affordable credit and inadequate training and support networks, she said.

“These obstacles can be overcome through community-based farmer training that helps beginning farmers develop the tools and know-how to do sound business planning, which in turn will assist them in accessing affordable credit,” said Stettler. “The single most important beginning farmer and rancher investment in the 2007 Farm Bill is the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.”

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program was passed in the 2002 Farm Bill, but Congress failed to fund the competitive grants program and so it never got off the ground.  The program is targeted at collaborative local, state and regionally based networks and partnerships to support financial and entrepreneurial training, mentoring and apprenticeship programs.

The Land Stewardship Project and other members of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are calling for passage of a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program in the 2007 Farm Bill, with funding of $25 million a year. 

“We need good public polices that provide smart, cost-effective start-up support and incentives for America’s next generation of family farmers.” said Stettler. “The opportunity is now, so the time to act is now – in the 2007 Farm Bill.”

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NOTE: To read Karen Stettler’s testimony, click here.