1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated February 6, 2018Farm Bill Primer: Federal Programs Supporting New FarmersBeginning farmers and ranchers (BFRs)generally defined as having operated a farm or ranch for no more than 10 years (7 U.S.C. 3319f)comprise an important part of the U.S. agricultural sec
2、tor. Not only do they contribute to rural and non-rural economies, but they are considered to be critical given ongoing concerns about the aging U.S. farm population, the so-called “disappearing middle” (i.e., mid-sized farms both in terms of farm number and value of sales), and general trends towar
3、d increasing consolidation and fewer, larger farms. The 2014 farm bill (Agricultural Act of 2014, P.L. 113-79) reauthorized and expanded programs supporting new farmers and ranchers, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These programs target new farmers within specific farm dem
4、ographic groups based on age, race, and gender, as well as socially disadvantaged (underserved) farmers and farmers who are military veterans. BFRs Data and Characteristics USDAs latest 2012 Census of Agriculture reports that there were 522,000 BFRs, representing about one-fourth of the 2.1 million
