Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 006065
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program (CFDA 10.311) that funds education, training, outreach, and mentoring designed to strengthen the next generation of U.S. farmers and ranchers. While farmer education in the United States has deep roots going back to the Morrill Land Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890, this program reflects a more modern, targeted federal investment aimed specifically at helping new and aspiring producers build the skills and support networks needed to operate successful and sustainable farm and ranch businesses.
This opportunity grew out of major farm legislation, starting with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which dedicated $75 million across fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to expand beginning farmer and rancher programming nationwide. That momentum continued with the Agriculture Act of 2014, which provided an additional $20 million per year for 2014 through 2018. The policy rationale behind these investments is straightforward: the average age of U.S. farmers has been rising, the number of farmers and ranchers was projected to decline over time, and there is broad recognition that newer producers face barriers that require specialized training and support beyond what traditional programs have typically offered.
A defining feature of the BFRDP is that it is not intended for single applicants operating alone. Only collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally based networks or partnerships may apply, and the partnership must be made up of qualified public and/or private entities. Eligible partners can include State Cooperative Extension Services, federal/state/tribal agencies, community-based organizations, nongovernmental organizations, two-year or four-year colleges and universities (or their foundations), and even private for-profit organizations. The program strongly encourages partnerships to include beginning farmers and ranchers themselves, as well as non-beginning farmers and ranchers, reflecting an emphasis on practical, real-world mentoring and peer learning alongside formal instruction.
In practical terms, the program supports projects that help beginners move from interest to competence to long-term viability by delivering hands-on training, business and financial education, production and conservation guidance, market development support, and structured mentorship and technical assistance. The overall goal is to improve the sustainability and success of beginning producers by building coordinated support systems in regions and communities, rather than relying on fragmented or isolated services.
For this specific listing, the funding opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA BFR 006065, categorized as a mandatory grant opportunity administered by NIFA. The posted original closing date was December 8, 2016, and the opportunity record was created on September 29, 2016. Individuals are explicitly not eligible to apply, and organizations that cannot demonstrate a true network or partnership structure are not considered under any BFRDP category.Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 006065
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.311.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-09-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) FAQs
What is the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)?
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program (CFDA 10.311) that funds education, training, outreach, and mentoring intended to strengthen the next generation of U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Which USDA agency administers this grant program?
This program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the purpose of BFRDP funding?
BFRDP funding supports projects that help new and aspiring producers build the skills and support networks needed to operate successful and sustainable farm and ranch businesses. The program emphasizes coordinated regional and community support systems rather than isolated services.
What kinds of activities or projects does BFRDP support?
Supported projects include education, training, outreach, and mentoring designed to move beginning producers from initial interest to competence and long-term viability. The description highlights hands-on training, business and financial education, production and conservation guidance, market development support, and structured mentorship and technical assistance.
Is BFRDP designed for a single organization applying on its own?
No. A defining feature of BFRDP is that it is not intended for single applicants operating alone. Only collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally based networks or partnerships may apply.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligible applicants are networks or partnerships made up of qualified public and/or private entities. Examples of eligible partners include State Cooperative Extension Services, federal/state/tribal agencies, community-based organizations, nongovernmental organizations, two-year or four-year colleges and universities (or their foundations), private for-profit organizations, and other qualified public or private entities participating as part of a partnership.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are explicitly not eligible to apply for this listing.
Can a private for-profit organization participate?
Yes. The description states that eligible partners can include private for-profit organizations, as part of a qualified network or partnership.
Does the partnership need to include farmers and ranchers?
The program strongly encourages partnerships to include beginning farmers and ranchers themselves, as well as non-beginning farmers and ranchers, reflecting an emphasis on practical, real-world mentoring and peer learning alongside formal instruction.
What is meant by a "network or partnership" for BFRDP?
Based on the listing, a qualifying applicant must demonstrate a true collaborative structure that is state, tribal, local, or regionally based and composed of qualified public and/or private entities working together. Organizations that cannot demonstrate a true network or partnership structure are not considered under any BFRDP category.
Why did Congress invest in programs like BFRDP?
The policy rationale described includes concerns that the average age of U.S. farmers has been rising, the number of farmers and ranchers was projected to decline over time, and newer producers face barriers that require specialized training and support beyond what traditional programs have typically offered.
What legislation is associated with the creation and expansion of BFRDP?
The opportunity description traces BFRDP to major farm legislation, including the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and the Agriculture Act of 2014, which continued and expanded funding for beginning farmer and rancher programming.
What funding levels are mentioned in the opportunity background?
The description notes $75 million across fiscal years 2009 through 2012 under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, followed by an additional $20 million per year for 2014 through 2018 under the Agriculture Act of 2014.
What is the opportunity ID for this specific listing?
This specific listing is identified as USDA NIFA BFR 006065.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as a mandatory grant opportunity administered by NIFA.
What is the CFDA number associated with BFRDP?
The CFDA number provided is 10.311.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on September 29, 2016.
What was the original closing date for this listing?
The posted original closing date was December 8, 2016.
If an organization cannot prove it is part of a real partnership, can it apply anyway?
No. The listing states that organizations that cannot demonstrate a true network or partnership structure are not considered under any BFRDP category.
What overall outcomes is the program trying to improve for beginning producers?
The overall goal described is to improve the sustainability and success of beginning farmers and ranchers by building coordinated support systems and delivering training, technical assistance, and mentoring that contribute to successful and sustainable farm and ranch businesses.
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