Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Elizabeth Baier
Rochester, Minn.

Organizations receive federal aid to help first-time farmers

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Two Minnesota-based organizations have received federal grants to help beginning farmers and ranchers.

Land Stewardship gets $413,820 and Legal Action Group gets $506,170.

In all, the USDA says more than $17 million will go to 29 institutions around the country.

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the grants will help attract and train first-time farmers.

"We know that the average age of farmers in this country is 59," Merrigan said. "We need to figure out the next crop of farmers where they're going to come from."

Merrigan said the grants will also help programs that help ease the challenges for first-time farmers. She said a lot of the new incoming farmers are small-scale, but part of the reason for that is there are such barriers to entry.

"The cost of getting into agriculture is really high; the land, the equipment," she said.

Merrigan said education and training is essential for people who are new to agriculture and helps them make smart business decisions.