Half of all current farmers in the U.S. are likely to retire in the next decade. Enlisting and supporting new farmers is essential to the future of family farms, the farm economy and healthy rural communities.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Basic information about what a farm career entails including descriptions of the work, education and training required, typical employment opportunities, job outlook, earnings/wage data and related occupations.
Business Development Tools for Beginning Farmers Iowa State University. Cooperative Extension Service. Value Added Agriculture Program. General information about farm leases and farm management, new farmer loan programs, beginning farmer training programs, mentoring programs for beginning farmers and more specific information about developing agricultural business and marketing plans. Predominantly from Iowa, but additional resources from the upper Midwestern U.S. and Canada also included.
Growing New Farmers New England Small Farm Institute. Programs, services and resources for new farmers in the 12 Northeast states and beyond. Includes: directory of programs and services for new farmers, reports about new farmers and their service needs, tools and resources for new farmers and for working with new farmers and programs/projects for new farmers.
Beginning Farm Center Iowa State University. Cooperative Extension Service. Iowa resources for new farmers looking for support, land, training and contacts.
National Farm Transition Network National Farm Transition Network. The network supports programs that foster the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Site includes information and state contacts for "Land Link" programs – programs that match retiring farmers/land with new farmers seeking land and support.
USDA Service Center Agencies Online Services United States Department of Agriculture. USDA service agency contacts, tools and eforms for farmers from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development. Specific services include loans and mortgages, payment options, real estate sales and Farm Bill tools.
