Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Next Generation of Iowa Farmers’ Access to Land

U.S. Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced a bipartisan bill to help bring the next generation of Iowans into family farming. The New Producer Economic Security Act would expand access to land and capital to support the next generation of farmers.

“In Iowa, agriculture is the backbone of our state, and our farmers are the backbone of agriculture,” said Rep. Nunn. “That’s why I’m fighting to ensure young and beginning farmers have the tools they need to access the credit necessary to purchase farmland. Young farmers who are willing to do the essential work to feed and fuel our world should be commended and supported.”

With the average U.S. farmer approaching 60 years old and nearly half of U.S. farmland on the cusp of changing ownership over the next two decades, this legislation is critical to securing Iowa agriculture’s future.

“If we are going to revitalize and strengthen American agriculture for generations to come, we need to take steps now to ensure young farmers can succeed,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m proud to sponsor bipartisan legislation aimed at helping young and beginning farmers access land, markets, and capital — the biggest challenges for new and underserved farmers. I’m thankful to Representative Nunn and Senator Smith for joining me in this effort, and I look forward to working together to ensure this legislation is included in the 2025 Farm Bill.”

The 2025 Farm Bill is an important opportunity to address the challenges keeping land out of reach for the next generation of farmers. The New Producer Economic Security Act would address this challenge by:

• Making funding available to entities that focus on strengthening land, capital and market access for new and beginning farmers.
• Providing funds for services that help farmers and ranchers acquire land, cover closing costs and down payments, secure clear titles, and access training and technical assistance.
• Prioritizing projects that give direct financial assistance to farmers, involve collaborative partnerships and transition farmland from existing producers to the next generation.
• Establishing a committee of stakeholders to develop a process for evaluating applications and distributing funds effectively.

Text of the bill can be found here.