(Des Moines) Representatives Zach Nunn (IA03) and Jasmine Crockett (TX30) today introduced the bipartisan Next Generation of Farmers Act to cut red tape at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and help new producers qualify earlier for direct farm real estate loans.
“In Iowa, farming is more than a livelihood, it’s a way of life. Starting out shouldn’t mean three years of red tape before you can even buy the land,” said Rep. Nunn . “By cutting the experience requirement to one year, this bill will help more Iowans purchase land, build equity, and keep family farming going strong for the next generation.”
Outdated federal rules have locked too many first-generation farmers out of ownership by requiring three years of experience they can’t yet document. That barrier shuts out young producers who are ready to farm but don’t have land in the family to inherit. This bipartisan bill cuts the experience requirement to one year, giving beginning farmers a fair shot at financing and the opportunity to take the first step toward starting their own farm.
“Land is power, and for too long, too many people ready to farm have been told to wait their turn while opportunities pass them by,” said Rep. Crockett. “I’m not here for outdated rules that keep the next generation of farmers on the sidelines. This bill is about breaking down those barriers so folks who are ready to put in the work can own the land, build wealth, and keep our communities fed.”
Direct Farm Ownership loans, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide financing to farmers and ranchers for the purchase, development, or expansion of farm operations. However, current eligibility requirements limit access to these loans and burden farmers with complicated application processes. Many beginning farmers find themselves highly qualified for this type of financing, but have difficulties navigating the application and find the eligibility requirements narrow and hard to meet.
Nunn said, the Next Generation of Farmers Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step to make land ownership more attainable for beginning farmers — keeping family agriculture strong in our communities. Specifically, the bill updates USDA’s direct farm real estate loan program by:
-Reducing the experience requirement from three years to one year of substantial farm management.
-Crediting equivalent education or other relevant experience toward eligibility.
-Allowing eligibility after six months when USDA determines additional flexibility is warranted.
“Our family farmers are the lifeblood of our rural communities. To continue feeding and fueling America, we must ensure those who wish to take on this crucial responsibility have the support and tools they need to not only get started, but to have long-term success. This legislation will do just that.”
