Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03) co-led a letter, sent yesterday, from 53 Members of Congress to the Farm Bill conferees in support of the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program. This proposed program, which is currently included in the Senate version of the Farm Bill, would merge the authorizations of the Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Development Program and the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.
 
As the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Congressman Bishop has long supported beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers. The average age of farmers and producers in the U.S. is 60 years of age. The proposed Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program will ensure the next generation of farmers, and anyone seeking a career in agriculture, has the resources they need to be successful.
 
The Members wrote in their letter:
 
As Members of Congress with numerous minority, veteran, and beginning farmers in our districts, we support the new authority in Section 12301 of the Senate bill as a prudent, efficient approach to merge the authorization of the Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) and the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.
 
The BFRDP and the OASDVFR are complementary programs, and merging their authorities under the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program will streamline program delivery. Additionally, the proposed language authorizes $50 million annually through 2023 for the combined program. This funding is vital for the long-term investment in our farms and the farmers and ranchers dedicated to their care and production.
 
The Members continued in the letter:
 
USDA’s new authorities better link two deeply complementary programs that together provide an effective mix of education and training to new entry producers, and direct technical assistance to historically underserved producers. These programs support new entry and historically underserved producers through the community-based organizations, tribes and educational institutions best equipped to reach and serve these communities.
 
The letter was cosigned by Representatives Fortenberry (R-NE), Sewell (D-AL), Carbajal (D-CA), Costello (R-PA), Bass (D-CA), Pearce (R-NM), Blumenauer (D-OR), Moore (D-WI), Veasey (D-TX), Costa (D-CA), Sean Maloney (D-NY), Gonzalez (D-TX), DeLauro (D-CT), Kaptur (D-OH), Ryan (D-OH), Rush (D-IL), Pingree (D-ME), Soto (D-FL), Waters (D-CA), Walz (D-MN), Neal (D-MA), Espaillat (D-NY), Panetta (D-CA), McCollum (D-MN), Raskin (D-MD), Pocan (D-WI), Napolitano (D-CA), Welch (D-VT), Tsongas (D-MA), Takano (D-CA), Moulton (D-MA), Lee (D-CA), Price (D-NC), Jayapal (D-WA), Sablan (D-MP), Plaskett (D-VI), Thompson (D-MS), Scott (D-GA), Butterfield (D-NC), Hanabusa (D-HI), McEachin (D-VA), Kilmer (D-WA), Rosen (D-NV), Garamendi (D-CA), Kind (D-WI), Clark (D-MA), Smith (D-WA), Richmond (D-LA), Ellison (D-MN), Evans (D-PA), and Courtney (D-CT).