Next Generation Farmer Act

The Next Generation Farmer Act would modify the way the federal government, through the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, determines eligibility for farm ownership loans by beginning farmers and ranchers. Specifically, it shortens the required experience to qualify from 3 years to 1 year and adds a mechanism for the Secretary to waive the 1-year requirement in certain cases. The waiver can be granted if a qualified beginning farmer or rancher has either (a) at least 1 year of experience as hired farm labor with substantial management responsibilities, or (b) an established mentoring relationship with an experienced farmer/rancher or with a SCORE counselor or another approved mentoring entity. The intent is to broaden access to ownership loans for new farmers and to strengthen support networks through mentoring.