Representatives Jasmine Crockett (TX‑30) and Zach Nunn (IA‑03) introduced the bipartisan Next Generation of Farmers Act to cut through the outdated red tape at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and give new farmers a fair shot at land ownership.
For decades, federal rules have required beginning farmers to demonstrate three years of farm management experience before qualifying for direct farm ownership loans. This requirement excludes countless first-generation farmers, young producers, and families without inherited land. The Next Generation of Farmers Act modernized the system to make it easier for new farmers to get started.
“Land is power, and for too long, too many people ready to farm have been told to wait their turn while opportunities pass them by,” said Rep. Crockett. “I’m not here for outdated rules that keep the next generation of farmers on the sidelines. This bill is about breaking down those barriers so folks who are ready to put in the work can own the land, build wealth, and keep our communities fed.”