Tom Harkin: “among the most hopeful occurrences in rural America is when someone is able to get started in farming or ranching and go…”

“among the most hopeful occurrences in rural America is when someone is able to get started in farming or ranching and go on to build a successful operation. Typically, the beginning farmer or rancher is continuing an established family farm or ranch, although increasingly he or she is taking on the challenge of starting and growing an entirely new operation. Because farming and ranching families are so vital to rural communities and our Nation as a whole, there has been a great deal of concern for decades as America's agricultural producers have grown older and retired, as farm numbers fell, and as men and women who had a great desire to become the next generation of farmers and ranchers were unable to find the opportunities and resources to do so. Across America, we are fortunate to have many families and individuals who possess the ability, motivation, and dedication to start or continue a farm or ranch and build a rewarding life in agriculture. Our Nation needs more beginning farmers and ranchers across all types of operations--including commercial-scale crop and animal agriculture systems, organic agriculture, growing for local food systems and farmers markets, and even farming in urban and suburban areas. We need more beginning farmers and ranchers to secure critical supplies of food, fuel, and fiber for the future. We need them as stewards to care for and conserve our soil, water, and other natural resources.…”