By Andi Anderson
Ohio ranks fourth in the U.S. for the number of farms, boasting more than 75,000. However, starting a farm in the Buckeye State, and across the country, remains challenging. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines beginning farmers as those who have been in business for 10 years or less. To help these new producers, Congress has introduced the bipartisan “New Producer Economic Security Act.”
This bill proposes that the USDA provide support to beginning farmers in several key areas: securing land, accessing funding, and entering markets. These are significant hurdles for new farmers who face an aging farming population, with the average U.S. farmer being over 58 years old. According to Nicholas Rossi from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the coming years will see a large transfer of agricultural land as older farmers retire.
The legislation could provide low- or no-interest loans, land-access grants, and community-driven models like land trusts and co-ops. Such initiatives are especially critical in Ohio, where farmland growth has been stagnant between 2017 and 2022, making it difficult for young farmers to establish themselves.
Nationally, beginning farmers make up 30% of the U.S.’s more than 3 million agricultural producers. This marks a steady increase from 26% in 2017, showcasing the growing number of young farmers looking to sustain agriculture. However, the land transfer process will play a key role in determining whether the future of farming remains family-run or if larger, corporate farms will dominate.
Rossi hopes that the new legislation will become a permanent part of the comprehensive Farm Bill, offering lasting support for new farmers in their efforts to continue the country’s agricultural traditions.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy