Beginning Farmer: Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers

A team of extension educators works with partnering organizations to support successful farm start-up. This program supports beginning producers exploring, planning and establishing their farms as well as new women farmers, young next generation producers and next generation Hispanic producers.

The Program aims to enhance the success of beginning farmers by providing education and hands-on training in: production, marketing, financial management, land acquisition, and other resource acquisition.

Audience

This project serves those:

• Exploring farming, not yet sure if it's right for you. You may (or may not) own land, but have not yet taken any steps to develop an agricultural business.
• Planning: Committed to starting a farm in the next two years but haven't yet begun production.
• Start-up: Already farming for 1 to 2 years, still exploring and learning what is and isn't going to work for your particular operation.
• Young Next Generation: If you are taking over the family operation, developing your new enterprise and innovating production practices.
• Next Generation Hispanic: If you want to develop your agricultural career toward skilled labor, management and ownership. La mayoría de los oportunidades aquí son en Español y en Ingles.
• Establishing: Farming for 3-7 years.
• New Women Farmers: In addition to courses and workshops for all new farmers these opportunities are designed specifically for women farmers.
• Innovating: Are you considering transitioning your farm to a new enterprise? For example, from dairy to beef. Are you considered adding a value-added enterprise?

Funding

The Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Extension; and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, provide funding for the Penn State Beginning Farming Program.