Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program | USDA NIFA BFR 006065

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.

• 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.

Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 006065

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