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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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 A man and woman beginning farmers in a field.
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    Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)SharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Beginning Farmer And Rancher Development Program
                            Eligibility
                              How to Apply
                              Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers.

  According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ag Census data, one-third of the United States’ 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65. Ensuring there will be a “new generation” of beginning farmers and ranchers – regardless of age or production choice – is essential to the continuation of agricultural production in the United States. Beginning farmers and ranchers have unique educational, training, technical assistance and outreach needs. Access to capital, land and knowledge that assists in ensuring profitability and sustainability are vital to farmers and ranchers in their first ten years of operation.Program InformationThe primary goal of BFRDP, under assistance listing number 10.311, is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, mentoring and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. The term "beginning farmer or rancher" means a person who:Has not operated a farm or ranch.Has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years.Meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.Sign up for Grants.gov AlertsThe best way to stay updated about NIFA’s BFRDP funding opportunities is to register for Grants.gov alerts. These email alerts will notify you when BFRDP Requests for Applications (RFAs) are released.If you don’t have a Grants.gov account, register for free. Tip: you don’t need a full profile to sign up for alerts.Once you’re registered and logged in, go to Subscribe to Saved Searches.Add a Saved Search. Enter “10.311” in the CFDA input field under Basic Search Criteria. Click Save to continue.Your saved search subscription will now be listed under “My Saved Opportunity Searches.” To unsubscribe, delete the Saved Search from your profile.You will begin receiving email notices from “DoNotReply@grants.gov” sometime after midnight of the day the RFA is posted. Add that email address to your address book to ensure delivery in your inbox.BFRDP Funding Opportunity Page

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    The BFRDP Clearinghouse
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              Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators
              USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service – Outreach and Partnerships
              Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loans

  Program type
    Grant Program

  News
    USDA Provides Nearly $24M Boost for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
              USDA Invests Nearly $28M for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

  Contact
    Denis  Ebodaghe

  Related Resources
    BFRDP Outcomes Based Reporting Guide
              BFRDP Sample Commitment Letter Template
              Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) Award Maps
              BFRDP Fact Sheet

  Funding Opportunities
    Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

  External Resources
    Cultivating the Next Generation: An Evaluation of the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program (2009 to 2015)
              USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service – Publication Highlights
              Beginning Farmers and Ranchers at a Glance
              Farms and Lands in Farms – 2021 Summary
              Rural America at a Glance: 2022 Edition
              Young Producers Highlights 2020
              2021 BFRDP Awards
              2022 BFRDP Awards
              2023 BFRDP Awards
              BFRDP Educational Team Awards

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    Education
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