Support America's Beginning Farmers

Providing a healthier diet for all Americans, and stemming the tide of “diabesity” and other diet-related disease, will necessitate recruiting more men and women to become farmers. Feeding all Americans under current dietary guidelines from U.S. farms would require more than 10 million new acres of fruit and vegetable production. New farmers are needed to lead the way in this new, health-driven market.

Farming is among the most difficult professions to enter because of the enormous uncertainties in the market and the weather, not to mention the access to land and technical expertise required.

This Act will support new farmers by providing:
•    Better access to land, capital and credit through government-backed loans.
•    Greater access to conservation dollars so that new farmers can farm organically and in a way that fosters clean air, soil and water by
•    Helping to reduce barriers to entry to farming at the local level by providing access to technical assistance and training.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act will help ensure a healthy, safe food supply for future generations and help create jobs in America now. For more on the need for a new generation of farmers, watch this video from our partners at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Support a healthier food system. Edit the sample letter below and write your U.S. Representatives asking them to co-sponsor The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011.