Encourage new farmers, ag group leader says
3/28/2007
By Edward Felker
The Post-Bulletin
WASHINGTON -- The upcoming 2007 Farm Bill should include $25 million annually for education and extension grants for new-farmer initiatives, the director of the Lewiston-based Farm Beginnings Program told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Karen Stettler appeared before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research at a hearing on credit availability to farmers. The hearing was one of a number scheduled in advance of a new Farm Bill, which sets farm law and spending levels. The current bill, enacted in 2002, is to expire this year.
Stettler testified on behalf of the Minnesota-based, nonprofit Land Stewardship Project, the parent organization for her program, and the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. She told lawmakers that beginning farmers are excited about farm opportunities afforded by the demand for organic foods and naturally raised livestock.
They face challenges in securing adequate credit and finding educational and training programs, she said. She said the Farm Bill should include a broad new-farmer initiative and should fully fund the $25 million Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which provides technical assistance, education and extension grants. The program was included in the 2002 Farm Bill but has not been funded by Congress.
The full committee is headed by Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Detroit Lakes, and its membership includes Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, who also serves on the conservation subcommittee. Walz attended the first part of the hearing but was unable to stay for Stettler's testimony.
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