Maloney Announces Young and Beginning Farmers Act to Stem Coming Farmer Shortage

Press Release

In response to an impending shortage of farmers, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Young and Beginning Farmers Act, which will help new farmers overcome the common barrier of access to land as well as improve access to critical programs that educate, train and assist young and beginning farmers in starting their career. In 1982, the average age of farmers was just over 50 years old, but that average had grown to nearly 60 by 2012, according to the Farm Census. Rep. Maloney is introducing the bill with Republican Ryan Costello (PA-6).

"I hear from new farmers all the time who have an uphill battle trying to get access to land, who don't know where to turn for help, or have to wait in an endless line to get help from the USDA -- that has to change if we want to continue growing food in this country," said Rep. Maloney, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture. "Our farmers feed America, and we have to make sure the next generation has the land, tools, and training programs they need to start a successful career in agriculture."

"Agriculture is a cornerstone of the culture and economy of Orange County and we have to make sure the next generation of farmers is ready to take the place of folks who dedicated their lives to feeding America and are getting ready to enjoy their retirement," said New York State Assemblyman James Skoufis. "Land access issues and red tape at the USDA get in the way of a lot of beginning farmers and Rep. Maloney's new legislation will be a key part of resolving those problems."

"The Young and First Time Farmers Act touches on critical issues facing farmers in the Hudson Valley, and across the country," said David Haight, New York State Director for the American Farmland Trust. "We look forward to working with Congressman Maloney and other sponsors to fight for federal funding in the next Farm Bill to help farmers protect their land and grow the regional food economy, and to ensure that federal farm programs meet the needs of local communities and the next generation of farmers. "

"Our country needs more farmers, and young people like me are ready to step up," said Sophie Ackoff, national field director for the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC). "But we can't do it alone. Supporting the next generation means recognizing that we face unique challenges. This bipartisan bill will help us access the farmland, training, and credit we need to succeed and feed our communities. Most importantly, it helps make young and beginning farmers a priority in the next farm bill."

"This new legislation will be a boon for young growers and farmers to further establish themselves and thrive in the agricultural industry, and for protecting viable farmland from conversion to other land uses," said Jeremy Schneider, Outreach and Programs Coordinator, Orange County Land Trust. "We applaud Congressman Maloney for providing sensible solutions to the issues facing the next generation in agriculture and for his commitment to sustaining Orange County's agricultural economy and heritage."

"Conserving farmland and protecting New York's most productive agricultural lands depends on collaboration--farmers committed to preserving their fields and orchards, land trusts dedicated to helping farmers protect their lands and champions such as Congressman Maloney working to ensure those lands can pass to the next generation of farmers," said Althea Mullarkey, Scenic Hudson's Public Policy Analyst. "Congressman Maloney's proposed Young and Beginning Farmers Act offers exciting new energy for future conservation efforts and would help secure the future of so many family farms that are the engine of the state's agricultural economy."

The Young and Beginning Farmers Act will focus on three primary areas of concern for young farmers: access to land, USDA programs for young and beginning farmers, and investments in local and regional food systems. The bill will improve land access by making it easier for land trusts to protect farmland for beginning farmers, helping to speed up the process for beginning farmers to qualify for USDA resources that make it easier to acquire farmland, and increasing the USDA Direct Loan limit. It will also develop new resources at USDA like self-service portals and regional coordinators for beginning farmer support, reauthorize the vital beginning farmer and rancher development program, and fund individual development accounts to help farmers save for purchases. Finally, to improve local and regional food systems, the bill will fund the farmers market and local food promotion programs and establish a new farm viability grant program to help connect farmers with resources and experts. The bill has been endorsed by the National Young Farmers Coalition, Land Trust Alliance, American Farmland Trust, Scenic Hudson, and the Orange County Land Trust.

Agriculture has been a top priority for Rep. Maloney since his first days in Congress. The first legislation he wrote, the bipartisan CROP Act, passed as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, along with other key Hudson Valley agriculture priorities. Over the past month, Rep. Maloney has also introduced the Local FARMS Act to help farmers deliver produce directly to their customers, secured $130,000 in investments to combat the Allium Leafminer, an invasive species of pest that threatens Orange County's multi-million dollar onion industry, and met with his Agriculture Advisory Board to get input on the 2018 Farm Bill, which will be marked-up in the Agriculture Committee over the coming months.

Source